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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.

There’s nothing quite like a great haircut. That feeling when you can’t stop catching a glimpse of yourself in the mirror or running your hands through your new layers is priceless. Unfortunately, a bad hairstyle can cut through all that confidence and leave you looking older than you are. We asked some of our favorite hairstylists to share the biggest mistakes they see women making with their hair. Mistake #1: Too Long Long hair can sometimes act like gravity in that it pulls your facial features down, and we definitely don’t want that anti-facelift. Split ends can also lead to thin and unhealthy-looking hair, so it’s best to keep it trimmed regularly (every 6-8 weeks). Mistake #2: Too Short Super short, that is. If you make sure to keep your hair healthy, there’s no big rush to get a short cut, as so many women think is necessary once you reach a “certain age.” Instead, focus on getting flattering cuts that use layers and the right color tones to keep your hair a little longer and still appropriate. Mistake #3: Too Dark As we get older, very dark, dyed hair can look too harsh. The monotone look of dyed-dark hair that’s necessary for fully covering gray strands ages you because it lacks dimension and can look dull and life-less. Mistake #4: Too Light If you’re still going bleach blonde, it’s most likely not the right move. Not only can light hair wash out your complexion, but it can make your strands look way damaged. Add dimension with lowlights to give life to your hair and darken the overall tone a bit. Mistake #5: Getting The Wrong Cut Length aside—the actual cut is important too. As we get older, anything too blunt won’t flatter our features. Likewise, hair that is all one length is not flattering because it pulls down your features and lacks movement. Layers are your best friend—they add movement, color dimension, and face-framing. Mistake #6: Using The Wrong Products There’s a delicate balance when it comes to using hair products. You don’t want to use too many different products at once, as that can lead to product overload and build-up in your hair that weighs it down. But we do understand the power of a few key, high-quality products to help boost your ‘do. We’re huge fans of the power of oils. Mistake #7: Ignoring Heat Damage We know it’s downright crazy down here in the South with our pesky humidity to not (at least, sometimes) use hot styling tools to tame your hair. But after a long time of usage, your hair can suffer from heat damage that increases split ends and makes your hair look fried. You can invest in pre-heat product to protect your strands or splurge on a high-quality deep conditioning treatment to get your hair healthy and smooth again. Mistake #8: You Go All In On Gray – Without A Plan Whether you’re letting your gray hair grow out because you’re courageous, rebellious or just exhausted by the tedium of coloring, it can be a gorgeous look that might just change your life. One thing to watch out for, though: The texture of your gray hair is probably not the same as the texture of your former color, so you’ll need to care for it in a different way. Many grays are wiry and dry, yet can look youthful, shiny and sleek if you give them the proper attention. We recommend first sitting down with your hair stylist and assessing the grays: Your hair might be lacking elasticity (protein treatments can help), or moisture (try a hydrating mask). You may also want to treat your grays with a clear gloss to seal the cuticle layer for added softness and shine.

Ladies, some of us spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on countless hair care products to achieve the bombshell look models wear on the runway. However, the secret to restoring the health and beauty of your hair could be found right in your home, specifically the kitchen. Whether you want to add shine to our dull strands, or add a super smooth look to your frizzy and tangled hair, these best-kept beauty recipes from around the world will show you how to tame your mane… Australia’s Hair Secret: Eucalyptus Oil Women from Down Under maintain their locks healthy, shiny, and dandruff free by using eucalyptus oil. The oil, distilled from the Eucalyptus leaf, can be added to your shampoo with a few drops, or can be rubbed on the scalp every night. The popular Australian oil helps to strengthen the hair follicles, as well as calming an itchy, inflamed scalp. The natural chemical compounds in the oil makes it a great follicle stimulator because it is believed to promote proper blood vessel constriction and have a cleansing quality to it. Avoid leaving the oil in for long periods of time though because it can damage the hair, and have a greasy feel to it. Colombian’s Hair Secret: Egg Whites & Avocado The secret to achieving super-smooth hair could be in the avocado salad you had for lunch. Colombian women use two egg whites and half of a mashed-up avocado and apply it to their hair for 15 minutes, then wash and condition. The fruit is high in vitamins B and E which work at the cellular level to protect, strengthen, and promote regular hair growth. The natural remedy is a fast and inexpensive way to defrizz and detangled rough hair. Guayana’s Hair Secret: Sardines If you don’t like the taste of sardines, you may want to acquire it quickly. The fish is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids that will promote hair growth, and provide a shiny texture. Foods like sardines help protect and repair damage to hair, especially for those who experience thinning. Achieve shiny, long tresses with this hair superfood. India’s Hair Secret: Coconut Oil To have thick and lustrous hair, Indian women use a very popular oil that serves multiple uses – coconut oil. The super ingredient helps keep your hair super soft and manageable by providing deep and real moisture. A little goes a long way with this hair care product. Simply heat up coconut oil, and massage it into your scalp once each week to achieve shiny, thick hair. You can go to sleep with it, and then wash your hair the next morning to have instant healthier hair. Italy’s Hair Secret: Olive Oil & Yogurt Italian women keep their locks glossy using nothing other than olive oil and some yogurt to substitute as a conditioner. The protein in the yogurt gently nourishes and conditions. We recommend mixing one cup of plain whole-milk yogurt with one teaspoon of olive oil and coat washed hair for five minutes, then rinse it off with cool water. Olive oil is loaded with antioxidants that help keep the skin of the scalp in shape while reducing damage from the overuse of hair care, and styling products. Jamaica’s Hair Secret: Cactus Ladies in Jamaica protect their hair from the scorching sun using a cactus. To restore heat-damaged hair, women peel the cactus and wash their hair with the oil to keep hair shiny and hydrated. The oil promotes faster hair growth, prevents hair loss, and maintains locks soft and smooth. The omega fatty acids are essential for growth and development. Japan’s Hair Secret: Camellia Oil Japanese women keep their locks straight and silky smooth with camellia oil. The oil contains vitamins A, B, C, and E and is a great scalp conditioner and healthy hair growth promoter. Camellia oil is best when obtained by cold pressing seeds of the Camellia japonica flower without any chemical or heat refining. Philippines’ Hair Secret: Aloe Vera Women from the Philippines maintain their long and glowing hair by rubbing aloe gel all over their hair to give it a glossy finish, and protect it. It contains rich moisturizing properties that can protect the hair, enhance the shine, and strengthen it. Aloe Vera’s anti-pruritic properties can also alleviate itching and dryness.

Blow drying your hair can give you the benefit of creating a variety of different styles for great looking hair. But, getting it wrong can have exactly the opposite effect. Here are some common mistakes that people make when blow-drying their own hair that you can avoid to put those bad hair days behind you. TOO HOT The most common error is drying hair on too high a heat setting. The belief is that it will dry the hair faster and have greater styling impact. Not true. A hair dryer that is too hot will simply burn and damage the hair leaving it looking dry, dull and frizzy. Medium heat is ideal for styling even though it may take a little longer to get the desired effect. Even if your hair is thick, try to avoid the highest heat setting. Section your hair instead. TOO COLD On the other hand, a cold blow dry will simply dry the hair without styling it in any way. But there is a place for that cold setting on your blow dryer. After applying heat, use the cooler setting to lower the temperature faster and set that style in place for longer. TOO CLOSE Holding the blow dryer too close to the hair, especially when using heat, will result in the hair frizzing and breaking and can cause burns to the scalp. About a hand width from the head is ideal unless you are using the cold setting. TOO WET Hair that is too wet will take longer to style than dry hair. It is best to allow hair to air dry or use your hair dryer to dry the hair before using a brush or curlers to begin styling the hair. Slightly damp hair is ideal for styling with a blow dryer and brush to minimize potential damage. You should never use heated styling tools on soaking wet hair as water amplifies heat and it could result in damage to the hair. TOO FAST Styling hair with a blow dryer takes time and it is important not to rush the process. Depending on the length and thickness of the hair, the process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours to complete to your satisfaction. Make sure that you put the ideal amount of time aside to blow dry your hair so that you aren’t tempted to use a higher heat setting to speed up the process and damage the hair. TOO MUCH (HAIR) Many people make the mistake of trying to dry and style large amounts of hair in one go. It is best to dry the hair in small sections, starting with the hair at the nape of your neck and ending at the top of the head. Use clips or elastics to section the hair allowing you to dry and style one portion at a time. TOO CHEAP Cheap hair dryers with low wattage are more likely to do damage to your hair than give you the look you desire. Invest in an expensive hair dryer (preferably ionic) which will dry the hair faster without the damage. Pay attention to the size of the nozzle – it shouldn’t be too wide or too narrow to direct the flow of air to maximize styling. TOO HARD Blow drying your hair should be a slow, gentle process. Don’t pull the hair taut or use quick, rough strokes with the brush. This will break and damage the hair and could even pull the hair out at the follicle. Rather use long, slow strokes with your brush to get the best effect. Remember that it is brush you are using and allow the bristles to brush through the hair as you blow dry each section. TOO MUCH PRODUCT Ideally, you shouldn’t use hair gel, spray or other products on the hair before or while blow drying. Hair products contain chemicals that can damage the hair when heated and could also dull the hair. It is best to use these products to keep the style in place after drying. However, some products are designed to be used with heat and can protect the hair shaft during the drying process. If your hair tends to frizz, it is advisable to use a heat protective product before drying your hair. TOO STATIONARY Holding your hair dryer in the same position for long periods of time will not dry the hair faster and only burn or damage it. Your hair dryer should constantly be on the move and never stationary. The angle of your hair dryer is also important. Try to keep it as horizontal (parallel to the floor) as possible while moving it around the head.

If your hair is on the long side, or you have a lot of it, you know exactly how long it takes to complete the entire hair care routine. Wash it, condition it, dry it, style it–the process seems to be never-ending. Instead of opting for the famous ‘chop’ to avoid the incessant styling, here are some hacks on how to get the same results, but faster. Air dry your hair until it’s 80% dry This is one of the most effective ways to cut down time on your hair routine. Of course, this trick won’t work if you’re in a rush to get out of the house, but if you’re washing your hair on a week night or on a lazy Sunday, always be sure to follow this tip. Not only will it cut down actual blow-drying time by a lot, it will also damage your hair less, as it’s not good to apply direct heat to hair that is soaking wet. When you get out of the shower, gently pat your hair dry. A cotton t-shirt would work best for this and will prevent damage to the hair, but let’s get real…how many cotton t-shirts do you have lying around to be used after every shower? S,o use a regular towel and pat hair dry very gently with it. Try your best to avoid twisting it, rubbing it, or making a turban on your head as this is what can truly cause damage to your hair in the long run. After you pat it dry, place a nice fluffy towel on your shoulders and while your hair dries, use this time to catch up on emails, do errands, chores, or watch your fave tv shows. Apply hair products before your hair dries If you use any sort of hair products, be sure to apply them before the hair is completely dry. If you wait too long, you’re just spraying new moisture into the hair which only prolongs the process. Do hair masks before or during the shower to save time Moisturizing your hair is literally the number one priority, as this is the biggest factor in having beautiful, healthy, bouncy, shiny hair. Here are a few ways you can incorporate hair masks into your routine. Apply the hair mask before you shower. Then proceed with a regular shower routine. While you wash your body, scrub, and shave, the steam from the hot water opens up the cuticles of your hair and allows the mask to penetrate and moisturize it deeply. Last step: shampoo and condition, and you’re all done. If you do hot yoga or go to the gym, apply a hair mask and put your hair in a bun or braids. You’ll have to shower after your workout anyway, so why not let your hair have a full hour or so to soak in the good stuff? Same goes for steam rooms, if you ever visit one. Just pop some of the hair mask into your hair before you go and let it do its magic in the steam. During summertime, take your hair mask to the beach, or to the backyard. Not only will it moisturize your hair while you sunbathe, but it will also protect your locks from the sun. All these methods above are completely doable by every single one of us, so really, there is no excuse to skip out on treating your hair with what it deserves. And just think about how much time you’re saving by incorporating this into your regular routine, instead of dedicating a separate time slot for hair care. Blow drying long hair faster To speed up the drying process even more, take off the nozzle that concentrates the air into a thin stream and blow dry your roots upside down. As soon as you feel your hair is about 90% dry, it’s time to put the nozzle back on and use a round hair brush to fully dry the rest of the hair, and smoothen it out in the process. Use the cool setting When you are done blow drying, put your hair dryer on a cool setting and run the cold air through your hair with a round brush one more time. This will seal the cuticles and make your hair appear even shinier and healthier. How to curl long hair faster Ah, curling long hair. No one can argue that having beautifully styled long hair is absolute goals, but the effort and time that normally needs to be put into styling it is quite on the lengthy side. One of the best hacks on how to style long hair fast is to pull it up in two ponytails, and curl in sections. This works for two reasons: You’re essentially cutting the length that needs to be curled in half and the sections are so much more manageable to curl, that the process of curling long hair is expedited significantly How to add volume to long hair A quick trick to add volume to the roots is to simply use a texturizing powder, or a natural dry shampoo, which will help create volume. Massage well into the roots, or you can even put some in your hand and scrunch the hair upwards to create texture and body throughout the length of the hair. With these tips and tricks that we just shared with you, you should be able to cut down your hair styling time significantly. We hope that you’ve found them helpful.

Have you ever wondered why your hair tangles and what you could do to fix it? It’s no secret that maintaining long and beautiful hair requires good care. But, as we can all agree, one of the most frustrating things about having long hair (other than it taking forever to dry) is having to constantly deal with knots and tangles. Not only is it time-consuming but can also be quite painful and damaging. If you can relate, then this blog post is for you. Read on for our best tips on how to detangle your hair and minimize knots. Why Does My Hair Tangle Anyway? There could be a few reasons why your hair is constantly tangling. Hair texture, frequency of brushing, exposure to wind, as well as the healthiness of the hair can all contribute to matting. Your hair is more likely to tangle if: It is super thick and curly It is long and fine It is very dry and damaged You don’t brush your hair throughout the day You sleep with your hair down How To Minimize Tangling Whether we like it or not (and we clearly don’t), our hair as well as hair extensions will tangle, especially if you fit one of the above categories. While there isn’t a magic formula on how to get rid of tangles forever, there are some things you can do to minimize tangling and the damage that comes from detangling your hair. CONDITION YOUR HAIR AND HAIR EXTENSIONS Never, ever skip on conditioner. Conditioning your hair after shampooing will restore moisture back into it, leaving it smoother and less likely to tangle. Tip: apply conditioner first thing after washing your hair, and then proceed with washing your body, shaving, and singing in the shower before washing it out. This will give the conditioner extra time to soak into the hair longer, increasing its effects. DO A HAIR MASK AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK If you’re not the kind of girl who likes to spend time doing hair masks, it’s time to reconsider. Doing a hair mask once a week, even if it’s just for 30 minutes, will significantly improve the condition of your hair. Hair masks are quick, highly potent treatments that restore the hair with moisture and lost nutrients, leaving it silky, shiny, healthy, and less prone to tangling overall. One of our all-time favorite natural hair treatments is Pure Coconut Oil. Leave it in for 30 minutes before your shower or overnight, wash it out with shampoo and enjoy gloriously smooth and silky, hydrated hair. USE A WIDE TOOTH COMB Although it may be tempting to use a brush because it’s ‘faster’, using a wide tooth comb (or a special detangling brush) is a much better idea, especially when taking your hair’s health into consideration. Not only will it remove the tangles more efficiently, but you will also protect your hair from tearing and damage. Start at the bottom of the knot, and patiently work your way up until it is combed out completely. PROTECT YOUR HAIR WHILE YOU SLEEP Speaking of sleeping, did you know that hair can also get tangled while you sleep? This is due to the friction of your hair against the pillow when you toss and turn. To combat this, we recommend to loosely braid your hair and tie it with a scrunchie before sleeping, or tie your hair up in a loose bun. BRUSH YOUR HAIR CONSISTENTLY If your hair is prone to tangling, it’s probably not a good idea to let it down all day (especially in the wind) without brushing it. Brush your hair two to three times a day using a soft bristle brush, especially before a shower and before sleeping. Be gentle while brushing, ladies! RINSE WITH COLD WATER We know, this one sounds a bit daunting, especially during those cold winter months. But after a hot shower, your hair cuticles are open, which leads to frizz and tangling while drying. Rinsing your hair with cold water before you hop out of the shower will help to seal the cuticles, close them up, ensure they dry smoothly, which prevents tangling. Try it next time…if you dare! CHOOSE THE RIGHT PRODUCTS Although there is a whole list of ingredients we recommend to avoid when choosing your hair products, alcohol is really the one that you want to avoid as it dries out your hair, making it more prone to tangling. Instead, go for natural, sulfate and alcohol-free products, or those specifically designed for tangled hair. KEEP HAIR DYES AND BLEACHING TO A MINIMUM Try to keep the hair dyes to 3 times a year at most. No matter what, it’s still dye, and will ultimately cause damage whether we want to believe it or not. The more dye you use, the drier upir hair becomes, and tangles become more frequent after dying. Keeping dyes to a minimum is best to keep your hair less damaged and less tangled. HAIRSTYLE VARIETY IS KEY When dealing with tangled hair, it’s easy to just throw your hair into a ponytail and forget about it. If you’ve done any research at all, however, you know how damaging even a simple hair elastic can be to your hair. Tying your hair up in a ponytail constantly causes hair breakage and split ends, so it’s always a good idea to try to style your hair differently regularly or to tie your hair in different spots on your head. You can also try cordless coil hair ties or gentle fabric scrunchies for your ponytails and buns. On the other hand, we recommend braiding your hair, especially if your hair is long and tangles easily. We love braids simply for their sheer versatility. You can start the day off with a tight braid (say, a French or a fishtail braid) and go on with your day. Jump, dance, run, do whatever you want—the braid will normally stay, but even if it doesn’t and it comes undone, you now have yourself a pretty, loose, messy braid as if you were going for that look all along. The best part? No knots. No untangling and silently crying as the hairbrush pulls on your scalp once again. Because doing this every day can get old. Simply undo your braid at the end of the day, and gently brush through your tangle-free hair! Helpful Detangling Tips If you’re anything like us, detangling hair is a whole routine. So we’ve learned to make it something to look forward to instead of dreading it. Some tips: Take a deep breath Put your fave tunes on or a movie in the background Grab a glass your fave beverage Prop up an e-book and read while you detangle This sounds silly, but if you distract yourself with some of your favorite activities, you will be a lot more patient, stress-free, and gentle when detangling your hair. THE METHOD Always split your hair into manageable sections. We recommend splitting it into four parts—two top parts, and two bottom parts, and working with one section at a time. Always use your fingers first to gently detangle as much as you can from bottom to top. This is the most-gentle method to reduce the size of the knot considerably. Then, follow by a wide tooth comb from the bottom up. You can also use a special detangling brush, but we recommend to only use ones where the bristles are flexible and soft. That’s it—once all the knots are detangled, you’re good to go! OTHER HELPFUL TIPS Don’t shower with tangles. Not only can this be painful and make the tangles worse, but detangling wet hair makes it much more prone to breakage. Tie your hair in a braid or a ponytail on windy days or when being active to avoid those pesky tangles. Use leave in conditioner if you feel your hair is still dry after the shower for extra moisture and smoothness.

Do you find yourself constantly scratching your head because of an itchy scalp? How about those annoying white flakes that fall from your head onto your shoulders? You’re not alone. Many people experience dandruff, which is not only uncomfortable, but can also be quite embarrassing in public. That’s why we’re sharing our favorite home remedies for dandruff that will help you reduce a dry scalp, relieve your itchy scalp, and say goodbye to dandruff. WHAT IS DANDRUFF? Dandruff isn’t so much about your hair, as it is about your scalp. Dandruff is basically due to the overgrowth of skin cells, which flake and fall off the scalp. Technically, it’s just a cosmetic problem and dandruff in itself is harmless, however, what is causing dandruff is worth some looking into. CAUSES OF DANDRUFF IRRITATED, OILY SKIN You likely have experienced dandruff if you suffer from a condition called Seborrheic Dermatitis. This condition affects many areas of the skin, including the scalp. This causes scaly patches, and oily, irritated skin that flakes off as dandruff. DRY SKIN This is especially an issue during winter months, as the cold winter air, combined with heated rooms indoors can cause an itchy scalp and flaking skin. Have you ever noticed how your skin tends to get dry or flaky during the winter, and needs that extra dose of moisturizer? Your scalp is the same! During colder months, the skin on your scalp gets dry, resulting in white flakes. Dandruff that is caused by dry skin, rather than oily skin, usually falls off in smaller, non-oily flakes. NOT BRUSHING YOUR HAIR ENOUGH This may seem very simple, however, brushing your hair regularly increases blood flow to the scalp, and helps in the normal shedding of skin cells, reducing the risk of dandruff. An added bonus: it’s totally relaxing! USING THE WRONG HAIR PRODUCTS If you are still uncertain as to why you have dandruff, take a look at the hair products you are using, as some hair products can lead to an inflamed, itchy scalp. Shampooing your hair too often could also irritate the scalp further, causing dandruff, so we recommend to make use of dry shampoo instead, to soak up excess oils in your hair. OR… Other causes could include medical reasons such as eczema, psoriasis, fungus or bacterial infections on the scalp, in which case we recommend consulting a doctor. HOME REMEDIES FOR DANDRUFF BAKING SODA Baking soda is not only amazing for baking cookies, but is also a powerful disinfectant when it comes to cleaning anything, including your scalp. Baking soda removes the excess oils produced by the scalp, washing off that extra grease that contributes to dandruff. Not only that, dandruff is a natural antiseptic, as well as helps balance the pH level of the scalp, making it a great DIY dandruff shampoo. STEP 1 Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with water until you reach the perfect paste consistency. STEP 2 For best results, part your hair in sections and apply a few drops of olive oil before spreading the paste on your scalp, and let it sit for 5–10 minutes. STEP 3 Thoroughly rinse the mixture out. For best results, repeat this procedure regularly—once or twice a week. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR Apple Cider Vinegar is a great home remedy for dandruff because it has probiotics and anti-inflammatory properties that kill viruses and yeast that cause itchiness on the skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties soothe scalp irritations caused by dandruff, while the high acidity makes it more difficult for dandruff that causes bacteria and fungus to grow. Apple cider vinegar also acts as a mild conditioner, soothing the scalp and adding shine and bounce to the hair. Tip: even if you aren’t suffering from dandruff, Apple Cider Vinegar is amazing to keep your hair looking luscious during the dry winter months. STEP 1 Mix half a cup of Apple Cider Vinegar with half a cup of water. STEP 2 Massage it well into your scalp and then leave it in for about 10–15 minutes. STEP 3 Rinse off with cold water. Repeat this routine regularly every few days until you start seeing results. LEMON JUICE Have you ever gotten lemon juice on a recent cut? Did it sting like crazy? That’s because lemons contain antiseptic properties, which is why they are a great home remedy for an itchy scalp and dry scalp. Lemon juice, much like Apple cider vinegar is acidic, and therefore alters the pH level of the scalp, banishing unwanted dandruff causing bacteria and fungus. Keep in mind, however that lemon juice is just a temporary fix since the pH level of your scalp changes throughout the day. STEP 1 Massage fresh lemon juice onto your scalp and leave it in for 5 minutes. We recommend testing a drop of lemon juice on a small part of your scalp first—if it really stings, then dilute the juice with water. STEP 2 Repeat this procedure at least daily until the itchiness goes away. BANANA & AVOCADO This is pretty much a smoothie for your scalp. Bananas and avocados are great dandruff treatments because they are both extremely moisturizing, which means they can reduce those dry flakes and inflammation. Avocados are rich in antioxidants, which keep the skin cells on your scalp happy and healthy, while bananas are especially great for conditioning the scalp and hair STEP 1 Mash two bananas with one avocado and apply all over your scalp where it is itchy. STEP 2 Leave it in for at least 30 minutes. Rinse it out with cold water and repeat this regularly until the itchiness subsides or goes away. TEA TREE OIL Tea tree oil is one of our favorite essential oils! It has natural anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which will help relieve your dry scalp or itchy scalp. Tea tree oil comes from leaves of the Myrtle Tree, which is native to Australia, and has been widely used in Australia for at least 100 years. The uses for Tea tree oil are endless. It is used in making homemade cleaning products, healing skin issues, treating viral infections, and of course, getting rid of dandruff. What’s even better, a little bit of Tea tree oil goes a long way. STEP 1 Mix three drops of tea tree oil with one tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil. STEP 2 Massage it well into your scalp and then rinse thoroughly with water. The smell of tea tree oil is a little bit strong, so you may want to do this before going to sleep or on days when you’re at home. An off-topic side note: if you ever get an unwanted pimple, dab a little bit of tea tree oil onto it and watch it dry out overnight. REF: WWW.LUXYHAIR.COM

Short hair is amazing! You get to feel the breeze on your scalp and neck, and you aren’t carrying around all that extra weight on your head. When you get out of the shower, your hair is dry in half an hour. It’s awesome! But what can you do to style short hair? Spray dry shampoo or texture spray on your bobby pins before insertion to prevent slippage. Sometimes short hair slips out of bobby pins more easily than longer hair does, so to keep your strands in place, spritz a dry texture spray on the inside of the bobby pin to give it a little more grip. Braid your hair into a chic crown braid. Pull your hair back into a chic crown braid by first creating a side-part and then Dutch braiding (where you cross the pieces under one another rather than over) your hair diagonally, starting from the left side of the part. Then Dutch braid your hair straight back on the right side of the part, securing both braids in a bun in the back with bobby pins. Keep your pixie cut smooth and sleek all day by crisscrossing two headbands over your hair. Stubborn short strands can be a pain to keep down. To ensure your pixie stays put, layer your bejeweled headbands for a flawless look Pin your bangs with one bobby pin, pushing the open end toward the ceiling. Complete the “V” shape by sliding one leg of another bobby pin at a downward angle through the looped end of the first pin. Repeat as many times as you’d like to get the look you want. Keep a cold cream or lotion in your bag in case you need to tame your tresses on the go. They can be used to fix fly-away’s or frizz if your hair wigs out when it’s humid. Create a faux bang by making a deep side part, sweeping the hair across your forehead, and securing it behind one side of your headband. Not all hair textures are suited for all hairstyles and cuts. For example, if you have super-fine hair, you might fare better with a pixie because it will create the illusion that you have thicker hair, and if you have a slight wave to your hair, layered and one-length cuts may work better, since wavy hair tends to hang a bit looser and longer (compared to curly hair, which coils up). Make your own salt spray with seltzer water and a teaspoon of sea salt to give your short hair beachy texture. Define your natural curls with a curling iron and go! If you want to rock your short hair, but also want it to look polished and defined, use a curling iron as your secret styling weapon. If you have super-tight coils, use a very tiny curling iron to create definition, and if you have larger curls, opt for a larger-barrel iron to make your texture more defined. Create a pompadour by teasing a section of hair from temple to temple and then pushing it against where you normally part your hair to increase lift. Creating a pompadour on short hair can be tough, but by twisting the hair you’ve gathered and pushing it against your part, it will make building this style that much easier. Secure with two bobby pins in an “X” formation and go. Blow your hair dry 50 percent of the way and then let it air dry. Not only will this cut down on heat damage, it will leave you with a natural #IWokeUpLikeThis kind of texture that you would otherwise have to use a salt spray or other styling product to achieve. Braid your hair from back to front, since any layered shorter pieces in the front might be hard to weave into a plait. Avoid weighing down your short hair by applying root lifter or volumizing mousse to your roots, and pomade and wax to your ends only. Too much wax and pomade, which tends to be heavier than a lightweight mousse, too close to your roots can flatten your hair and even clog the pores on your scalp. Create natural curls by alternating wrapping your hair over and under the barrel of the curling iron. Keep your bangs, or any shorter layers, out of your face by braiding them into a headband braid. Pull the hair off your neck and create a slimmer, chic bob by braiding the undersides of your hair. By French braiding the underside of your hair on both sides of your head, you can pull a major portion of hair off your neck. Avoid using a brush while blow-drying, since it will create a puffy, dated feel. Instead, use your fingers to move it around a bit and then let the power from the dryer blow your hair around. Then, once your hair is dry, you can create your shape. Boost volume by parting your hair and crimping the layers of hair underneath. After you’ve parted your hair where you normally do, clip up a 1/2-inch section of hair on both sides of your part, and use a micro crimper to add texture to the layers underneath to give them volume. Then, let the rest of your hair down. By crimping multiple layers, you’re creating zig-zag patterns piled on top of each other, which ends up adding overall body underneath the smooth hair on top.

Do you wish you had curly hair? Here’s a tutorial to show you how to style your hair so that it looks naturally curly. To pull this off you will need a styling wand like one of our clipless styling wands. The smaller the barrel, the tighter the curl. Also note that your hair will drop and soften over time so it’s best to style your hair a little tighter than you want so it looks good all night. HAIR PRODUCTS If you have straight hair you’ll definitely need to prep your hair to make sure that your curls last. I recommend using a volumizing mousse to add some grip and texture to your hair and then just to roughly blow-dry your hair before you begin. This helps to activate the mousse into your hair and add a little bit more texture so that the curls will last. I recommend: HEAT PROTECTANTS As always when using high heat tools, we recommend using a heat protectant spray. If you’re starting with wet hair and using a mousse, check if that is also a heat protectant . FINISHING PRODUCTS For extra volume we love hair powders! STYLING TIPS: Change Directions The key to naturally looking curls is to alternate which way you’re curling your hair around the wand. Normally in curling tutorials, you only curl your hair away from the face. When styling tight curls, they can tend to clump together and they won’t look as natural. Natural hair is a little bit messier and they curls should sit apart from each other. Switch Up The Size Of Your Curls We recommend using two different sized curling wands to help give the look of more natural curls. It’s really normal to have a mix of different curl sizes in any naturally curly hair and so by mixing up tight curls with a few layers of wider curls it gives a more natural finish. Let It Cool To make sure that your curls really set in, let them cool before you touch them. You can use this time to get your make-up done and then finish the hair just before going out. Pump Up The Volume I’ve used a hair powder to add some texture and volume as I’m messing up the curls. The thing I love about a hair powder is its a little bit matte and it really works to add volume right at the roots as well. It definitely gives the curls much more of a lift and natural look and stops it looking too exact and perfect which they can be from a curling wand. Know When To Stop When you’re shaking out those curls, it’s really difficult to know if you’ve gone far enough or if you haven’t quite got there yet. You run the risk when you play with the hairstyle too much that you’ll undo a lot of your curls. So be gentle and remember to take a step back and examine how they are looking at all angles. Have Fun With Your New Curls The best thing about wearing this style is that everybody will think that it is your natural hair!

From leftover styling product on your flat iron to a dirt-clogged blow dryer, slacking on properly cleaning your tools can wreak havoc on not only their ability to prettify you, but also the health of your hair. Here’s the lowdown on the best way to scrub down your curling irons, combs, rollers, and everything in between. BLOW DRYERS While your blow dryer might look innocent (and clean!) enough, germs lurk in the less-obvious portion of the tool — the back vent. And, because you’re probably shelling out a pretty penny on one (it’s worth it!), it makes it that much more important to take care of. So, how do you go about tackling these hidden dirt balls? Some dryers have a back panel that you can twist off and pop off. Once you’ve done that, simply take a microfiber cloth and wipe [it] clean. If, for some reason, that vent won’t budge, he adds, A quick tip is to use the nozzle part of a vacuum to suck up all the dust and dirt! Genius. COMBS Whether you use combs daily or just once in a while, it’s kind of hard not to notice the numerous hairs that get stuck in the teeth. Hairs that, we’re sure, aren’t necessarily just-out-of-the-shower clean. In order to truly get rid of the gunk that lingers, try soaking your comb in water and shampoo and then rinsing and drying. For gooey stubborn buildup that’s still there afterwards, try mixing equal parts of vinegar and warm water together. Spray onto your comb, let sit for 5 minutes, and then rinse. BRUSHES Those hairs that lurk in your comb are even more present in the bristles of your brush — and, in a greater number. We recommend first pulling the hairs away by taking a comb through the brush. If the hair is too tough to remove this way, use a pair of scissors to cut the hair on the brush without cutting any bristles. The hair should be easy to remove after this. Once you get all of the stray strands out, wash the brushes with a cleansing or clarifying shampoo. You can either air dry them or use a blow dryer to speed up the process. FLAT IRONS AND CURLING IRONS Most of the buildup on curling irons and flat irons can be removed by wiping the barrel or plates down with a microfiber cloth and some water. Dab a cotton swab in some water to get to those weird crevices. For curling irons, don’t forget to clean the inside of the clamp if there is one, also! One last pro tip? For extremely hard to remove buildup, try cleaning them with a microfiber cloth while the tool is on the lowest heat setting. Remember to take precaution and use a heat-safe glove for extra protection. ROLLERS Velcro rollers should get a similar treatment to brushes. First, remove the hairs and then follow with a clarifying shampoo wash. Alternately, plastic rollers can be treated like combs. Soak in water with added shampoo and follow with a vinegar solution to get rid of any excess dirt or oil. HAIR ACCESSORIES Items like the hard-to-keep-track-of accessories like bobby pins can be thrown away (if you use them a lot, he suggests buying them in bulk at your local beauty supply store for a more cost-effective and sanitary solution). As for other items: Pin curls, duck bill clamps, and most hair clips can be soaked in a cleansing or clarifying shampoo mixture with warm water. Done and done, now feel free to go forth with glamming up your mane — guilt and dirt free!

Oily hair is the arch nemesis of hair goals. Greasy hair can throw off your whole appearance, turning your freshly washed hair into a sad and droopy mess, before you even walk out the door! Aside from being an eyesore, greasy hair feels yucky and if left untreated, will only make matters worse. Luckily, with this guide, you’ll learn what causes oily hair, and how to take to your hair from mess to impress. What Causes Oily Hair? Excess oil in your hair usually occurs for two reasons: issues in the scalp or poor beauty habits. To get to the root of the problem, you’ll need to understand the science behind hair growth. Every pore on your skin has a sebaceous gland, including your scalp. The sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance called sebum, which gives your hair its natural shine. Sebum keeps your hair healthy and smooth, and it keeps the hair from becoming dry and breaking. However, some sebaceous glands produce an excess of oil, which results in oily skin and greasy hair. Excessive oil production can occur for several reasons. It can be hereditary or due to hormonal changes (puberty or pregnancy), or even changes in seasons, lifestyle, or climate. Poor diet, improper hair care, and some medicines can also impact how oily your hair is. How to Prevent Oily Hair Controlling oily hair is within your own hands… literally. You can help prevent oily hair simply by keeping your hands off of it! This goes for brushing your hair as well, as both further distribute grease throughout your strands. Greasy hair is also a cyclical problem. Over washing or excess scrubbing during shampooing can irritate the scalp, causing more oil. Once you strip your hair of its natural oils, your scalp goes into oil production overload. For this reason alone, do NOT wash your hair more than once a day. It’s important to rinse your hair in cold water for a minimum of 30 seconds to ensure that all shampoo and conditioner is out of your hair. Hot water stimulates the sebaceous glands, while cold water helps shut them down. Cool water also helps close your cuticle, reducing damage to your hair. Let your hair air dry naturally, or keep the heat at a minimum, as often as possible. Similar to hot water, hot air can stimulate oil production faster. Too much product can also cause buildup on the scalp, leading to excess grease. While you don’t need to stop using styling products altogether if your hair is naturally oily, you just need to know how to choose the right styling products. How to Manage Oily Hair Did you know you can actually train your hair to be less greasy? A well-designed care regimen for oily hair begins with a mild shampoo and a careful cleansing routine. A lightweight conditioner can help replenish and balance the moisture on your scalp without sending it into overproduction mode. Many times, a perceived accumulation of oils in hair is actually due to a poor rinse job. If conditioner still seems too much for your hair, try conditioning first and shampooing second to remove extra residue. Another option is to nix your traditional conditioner and opt for leave-in conditioning spray (on your ends only). Next, space out your washes. An oily scalp is a vicious cycle made worse by attempts at reversing the problem. Ideally, you should be able to go 2-3 days between shampoos to get oil production under control. Be patient, as you won’t get there overnight. In the meantime, you can experiment with dry shampoos and hair powders that are designed to help soak up that oil without stripping your scalp of its natural oils. You can also try using a clarifying shampoo or treatment twice per month. Despite your best rinsing attempts, your oily hair may be the result of buildup or heavy conditioners. Regardless of the amount of product you use, your hair may be good at holding on to traces of oil. Finally, remember that you are what you eat, and your intake of B vitamins directly correlates with your level of sebum production. Make sure you’re getting a sufficient amount of the B vitamins (B2 and B6 in particular) to help combat greasy hair. If these suggestions don’t improve your oily locks, it may be time to contact a doctor to consider other causes. This is especially the case if excess oil is accompanied by dandruff flakes. Seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis may appear as dandruff at first but will persist despite shampooing. Common Oily-Hair Concerns Oily hair can be lifeless and therefore challenging to style. But the worst-case scenario is for the sebum glands to clog the hair roots, resulting in excessive hair loss and dandruff. Here are some tips and tricks to address these oily-hair concerns and get you back on the road to healthy hair, with the good kind of shine. Dandruff An excess build-up of oil on the scalp can lead to dandruff. Many dandruff sufferers produce an excess amount of skin oil that combines with Malassezia (a yeast commonly found on the scalp), which can irritate the skin. Wash hair regularly Use an anti-dandruff shampoo with salicylic acid twice a week. This serves two purposes. It ensures the hair is clean, which cuts down on scalp oil, and attacks Malassezia with yeast-fighting ingredients. Try at-home remedies. Products like apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, and coconut oil have vitamins and natural antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help with dry skin on the scalp and Malassezia build-up. Avoid greasy or sticky products like styling gels, mousse, and hairspray. Hair Loss An oily scalp is often associated with hair loss. The excess oil production is a sign of inflammation, and when hair follicles are inflamed, hair growth is slowed because the hair produced is weaker in structure. Severe cases that are left untreated block the hair follicles, inhibiting the natural growth cycle. Restore the normal biome of your scalp. As the scalp’s antimicrobial peptides, proteins, and waterproofing lipids are replenished, inflammation will gradually subside and sebum production will diminish along with excessive hair loss. Examine your diet: a lack of B vitamins, zinc, and good fats can lead to hair loss. Limp and Lifeless Hair Too much oil will weigh your hair down, leaving it limp and lifeless. Those with fine and straight hair are most susceptible. Use a dry shampoo (or powder). Spray the crown of your hair in short bursts and work in with your fingertips to soak up the excess oils that weigh your hair down. Curl your hair. Sebum can travel down straight strands with ease; adding curls will slow that process down. Best Haircuts and Styles for Oily Hair While straight, short and/or thin hair tends to have a higher likelihood of looking greasy, no one is exempt from getting there. So, what can you do to still look your best? If you are in hurry, using dry shampoo is a great way to hide oily hair. Distribute the dry shampoo on your scalp and allow it to work for about two minutes, then tousle or brush your hair to remove the rest. From there, here are a few ideas for styling your hair: Slick back into a ponytail If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Brush hair back and upward into a high ponytail and then secure it with a hair elastic to complete this sleek look. For extra oomph, braid sections of your pony. Cover it up Invest in a pretty silk scarf or a headband to cover greasy roots while looking trendy at the same time.  Wave grease goodbye Textured, wavy hair is the best way to hide unwashed roots. Oil travels easily down straight hair, but a little wave can prevent that. Embrace your texture by spritzing your hair with a wave spray to achieve sexy bedhead with zero effort. If your hair needs it, use a curling iron to add a few additional loose waves. Go halfway up The half-up bun was created for days with no time for a wash. Prep strands with a dry shampoo for volume and thickness, then section off the top section and pull it back into a messy topknot. Secure with a few pins, then loosen a few strands for an undone finish. Sleep with twists Prevent greasy-looking bedhead while achieving a soft wave and volume by sleeping with your strands in loose twists. In the morning, tousle hair and add a bit more dry shampoo to finish the look.

Many people simply don’t realize that a healthy scalp means healthy hair. Your scalp needs TLC too, to maintain your hair’s natural luster and shine. Many women suffer from a dry and itchy scalp, we know the frustration is real. There can be various reasons why you may find yourself scratching your head (literally), so here we will lay out the 3 most common signs that you’re probably suffering from an unhealthy scalp – and of course, how to treat it! ITCHY / BURNING SCALP If you are suffering from major itch, accompanied by either soreness or a burning sensation, chances are your scalp needs love. It could mean a few things, like inflammation of the follicles or a bacterial infection (you'll feel acne-like bumps too), and even allergies can cause this. Known as contact dermatitis, it is possible to develop an allergy to certain hair products. If you find yourself itching recently and have been using a new shampoo or conditioner, try changing it up and see if it goes away. But since that's not always the case, other ways to make sure you can relieve the itch, and maintain a healthy scalp is to wash hair 2 to 3 times a week, so that your locks can have an even balance of natural oils. Utilize coconut oil, tea tree oil, and also the wondrous salicylic acid into your regimen, as they have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. THINNING HAIR / HAIR LOSS Thinning hair can be an indication of a couple things. First of all, it CAN simply be genetics and age, but there are other triggers which we call Reactive Hair Loss, which will result in thinning or losing more than just a small amount or here. That can be a result of stress, dramatic change in diet, and of course, a malnourished scalp. You want to make sure you are being attentive in the nutrients you’re getting, so your hair can be as healthy as possible. Make sure you get enough protein from things like legumes, vegetables and nuts, and complex carbohydrates are essential too (think fresh fruit and whole wheat crackers, etc.). To give your scalp some extra love, take fish oil supplements, and utilize a leave-in product rich in organic oils like geranium, peppermint, coconut, rosemary and more. FLAKING & DANDRUFF When you’re experiencing dandruff and flakes, that’s a big indication too that your scalp isn’t as healthy as it could be. The main reason why this happens is because there is too much oil buildup on the scalp. The excess oil causes your skin cells to build up, and ultimately shed. For mild dandruff, make sure to wash your hair 2 to 3 times a week with a gentle, nourishing shampoo to regularly reduce the oiliness of your scalp. If your dandruff is more severe or a regular shampoo doesn’t work, try a specialized dandruff shampoo. Like we mentioned above, tea tree oil is a great remedy for flakes. Another fabulous ingredient is geranium, which is also beneficial for hair loss. To sum it up, it’s always a good idea to remember to wash hair regularly, eat clean foods, drink tons of water and utilize organic oils, for not only your general health, but your scalp’s health too!