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We all have our own reasons to look forward to the afternoon storms. Getting drenched happens to be on the top of that list. As much as we love it, getting wet in the rain is one of the most ignored causes of damage to our hair. It makes it especially difficult to keep your hair healthy and frizz free during the rain. Remember to follow these simple tips whenever you get drenched in rain to keep your hair protected from damage. Cleanse: Cleansing the hair properly plays a big role in keeping it healthy and tangle free. Frizz too can be kept at bay if your hair is clean and healthy. Once back home, wash your hair immediately with a clarifying shampoo. This will help to remove all the toxins and atmosphere pollutants that get deposited in the hair through the rain. You can add some neem leaves in lukewarm water. Let it soak in for some time. Then use this water to wash your hair. Neem is well known for its anti-bacterial properties. It acts to remove any traces of dirt from your hair and also prevents fungal infections that can occur due to the humid weather. It is also a natural way to keep your hair free of dandruff and various other scalp infections. The pollutants weaken the hair shaft resulting in hair fall and unhealthy hair. For those who cannot get access to neem leaves, get a herbal shampoo that has neem in it. Condition: Summer storms are already humid and hair gets frizzy a lot. It is even more of a reason to make sure that your hair is well conditioned. Use a conditioner that is specially formulated to tame frizz. Ladies with naturally curly hair should stay away from silicone conditioners. Instead, look for anti-humectant hair conditioners. A homemade pack of eggs and yogurt will provide deep conditioning to hair. It is also a great way to tame the over powering frizz. Another alternative is to make a hair mask using olive oil and egg. Beat the ingredients to a thin consistency and apply all over. It provides some much-needed conditioning and also helps in fighting frizz. Hair Drying: The humid condition during storms expedites the breeding of bacteria in your hair. This can lead to various scalp infections. It is essential to dry the hair completely. Towel dry hair gently. For those who have the time, you can let your hair dry naturally. For those who do not have the time, you can opt for blow-drying your hair. Always use a heat protective spray to minimize the damage to the hair. Also try using the lowest heat setting.  Not Many Products: Using too much of anything is never good, styling products included. Stay away from using too many styling products or tools. Instead of piling your hair with chemicals, look for other alternatives. Opt for a good leave in conditioner that works at controlling frizz and let it manage your hair. Using too many products results in product build up which attracts more dirt and moisture. Messy Styling: Got drenched and no time for hair wash? There are many interesting ways to work around it!  The best way to work with drenched hair is to create some messy styles that are also fashionable. Opt for the classic messy hair up do. These are very much in trend and will be a great way to show off your style even if your hair may not be in the best of shape. Hair Cut: Getting a regular hair cut or trim is very important during the stormy season. This will help prevent any chances of split ends. It will also keep your hair healthy and looking good. Keep your hair in proper shape and length. For those of you who have a lot of travelling to do, opting for a shorter cut is best during the rainy months. Go for layers this season. These will give you natural waves. It is very low maintenance and you can easily shake it up and leave open if wet. These easy hair care tips will ensure you have a fun and hair damage free storm season.

Hair gloss treatments are often met with confusion these days. What exactly does it do? How are they different than hair color? And why is everyone getting them? A gloss treatment — also referred to as a color glaze or a glaze treatment — gives your hair shine, boosts dull and lifeless hair and helps smooth fly-aways. Gloss treatments can be clear or tinted. Both types of treatments revitalize hair, and tinted treatments can help enhance or maintain color, as well.  Here are some things that make a hair gloss treatment different than a classic dye job... and why you definitely should consider getting one. A gloss will repair any summer damage you have. Spent a little too much time in the sun and chlorine this summer? The gloss will return texture and deep condition your strands for ultimate silkiness and shine. It’s not as harsh or permanent as regular hair color. A gloss is very acidic and closes the hair and the cuticle up tight. The result is a very smooth surface texture that will reflect a lot more light and have a much softer feel to it. A gloss provides translucent color and intense conditioning. A gloss will work with the variation of tone that your hair naturally has, allowing for a more subdued shade. If you have gray hair and if you put a gloss on, it will have a very tonal effect as opposed to being one solid opaque color. It also automatically makes your hair super shiny and smooth. It can help tone down highlights. If your highlights end up looking a little too brassy, try getting a gloss treatment right after to tone down the color. You don’t have to change your natural hair color to get the benefits of a gloss. There’s such thing as a clear gloss, which is essentially a powerhouse of a conditioning treatment for your strands. All you’d be doing is lowering the pH level of your hair and imparting extreme conditioning properties. It’s a no-commitment change. The best thing about it is there’s no commitment to it and it’s going to fade on its own (within six weeks). And if you want to change your hair, it doesn’t interfere with any type of chemical change you want to do in the future. You can do it at home. If you want to save some money, there are gloss kits sold at your local drugstore. We suggest going into a salon at first. But if you do it at home, don’t go too far from one shade or two from where you’re currently at.

The skin on your scalp is just like the skin on any other part of your body. Doing a haphazard, 30-second routine won't cut it—and just like any solid skin care routine, that means exfoliating regularly. Keeping the scalp incredibly clean is going to help the hair we have now, it's going to help the hair grow thicker and fuller, and most importantly it's going to help that future hair grow really thicker and fuller. A clean scalp is one of the most important things we can do to ensure we have healthy growing hair.  Taking care of your hair and taking care of your scalp are two different things. It's really important to keep the needs of the scalp and the hair separate. If you're the type to use a ton of hairspray for styling your hair that means using a clarifying shampoo on the strands, plus a scalp scrub to get out the rest of the gunk. Use a scalp scrub once a week. We would recommend if you have a very dry or flaky scalp using a scrub once a week, perhaps even once every two weeks. Be gentle with your scrubbing. You wouldn't rub vigorously on your face, so it's the same with the scalp. Do nice and soft, gentle circular movements. That encourages microcirculation or blood to come to the surface of the scalp. And your hair is fed by the bloodstream. So, if we can encourage blood to come to the surface that's going to encourage hair growth as well. Look for key ingredients like zinc and copper. Zinc, in particular, is a great ingredient for scalp cleansing—and why it's present in so many dandruff products. If for some reason you have this over-acceleration of shedding skin cells, the zinc will help remove the skin cells and slow down the rapid turnover. Also, we encourage you to look for ingredients like copper, magnesium, organic essential oils, and keratin. Thicker Fuller Hair products include a vegan keratin, which helps hair grow healthier and stronger because keratin is the protein it is made of. Ease up on the styling products Things like dry shampoo and mousse that people keep piling on their hair every day don't help. The products tend to build up around the opening to the follicle and then what happens over time is if we don't cleanse that scalp you can get what's called miniaturization. The follicle becomes smaller. So, instead of having sort of two or three hairs growing out of a follicle, you get one or two hairs growing out. It's one of the causes of thinning hair. It's like going to work with full makeup on, and then you go home at night and you don't take the makeup off. You go to bed, you wake up the next morning, and then you reapply your makeup. And do that for three more days. Ref: www.elle.com

If you are looking for potent therapy for your scalp and hair problems, there’s neem oil. A highly revered and effective oil from the Indian subcontinent, it can remedy dandruff, eczema, psoriasis, scalp acne as well as boost hair growth. Neem is a large evergreen tree that likes to grow in hot, arid regions. No wonder it’s found all over India and its neighboring countries. Because neem is so beneficial for the crops and humans, it’s now grown in Africa, the Middle East and Central America. The neem leaves are small and delicate, and they grow packed in the multiple branches, which makes the tree look very dense. Neem tree provides shelter to the travelers, farmworkers and also grazing animals during a hot day. However, the most important function of neem is its fabulous healing potential. That’s why neem is also called as ‘sarva rogha nivarini’or ‘heal all tree’. Of course, it can’t, or it won’t heal everything; neem can help with many things: rheumatism, scabies, parasites, diabetes, liver function, wound healing, skin ailments, hair growth and general health. Every part of tree – leaves, twigs, bark, fruits – is useful, including the neem oil which is extracted from the small oval fruits of neem (that resemble green olives). Our interest in this article is the neem oil as it’s fantastic for hair and scalp. Let’s find out what it has to offer.   6 BENEFITS OF NEEM OIL FOR HAIR AND SCALP With its ability to fight bacteria, fungus, irritation and itching, neem oil is a great remedy for many scalp conditions. Plus, it can also sort hair loss and promote growth. Neem Oil Boosts Hair Growth The oil works multiple ways to save your hair. Firstly, by making the scalp healthy, neem oil helps hair follicles to flourish and thrive without any hindrance from microbes. Also, the yellowish-brown oil is super-rich in antioxidants which protect hair from damage and thinning. A regular massage with the neem oil will grow hair thicker, stronger and denser. How to use neem oil for hair growth, you need: ½ teaspoon neem oil 3 tablespoons coconut oil 10 drops lavender essential oil (optional) Place neem and coconut oil in a bowl and mix well and use. You can also add lavender essential oil for its hair growth-enhancing effects. Massage the neem tonic into your scalp and hair. Let it sit for an hour and wash out with homemade or natural shampoo. Neem Oil Rids the Scalp of Itchy, Flaky Dandruff Neem oil is effective against several human fungi including candida, which is one of the major causes of dandruff. Also, when you have dandruff there is some underlying inflammation going on that makes the scalp red and irritated. The star ingredient of neem oil is nimbidin – with antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It’s a perfect formula to relieve dandruff and soothe the itchy scalp. The fungus gets kicked out of the scalp, and the redness and irritation are pacified with the use of neem oil. To use neem oil for dandruff, you need: ½ teaspoon neem oil 3 tablespoons olive oil Mix all the ingredients and massage into your scalp and hair. Let it sit for an hour or so and wash it out. Neem oil Brings Relief from Eczema Eczema skin looks dry, irritated and crusty, and sometimes oozes fluid. It’s not easy to make it go away and can linger for months or even years. Neem oil is a great healer for the skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties calm and soothe the skin, while its anti-histaminic effects reduce the allergic reaction that may be triggering eczema. There’s more, neem oil moisturizes and repairs the dry, cracked skin, bringing it back to being healthy and smooth again. To use neem oil for eczema, you need: ½ teaspoon neem oil 3 tablespoons almond oil In a bowl, mix neem oil with almond oil. To use, apply a small amount to the eczema patches on your scalp or skin. Massage gently until the oil gets absorbed and leave it on. Neem Oil can help Reduce Psoriasis Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medicinal system, recommends the use of neem to reduce the scales and redness of psoriasis skin. Also, there’s a lot of anecdotal reports to suggest the usefulness of this herbal oil for psoriasis. Moreover, because of its anti-microbial properties, neem oil acts as a skin guard and protects the cracked or open skin from secondary infection. You can use neem oil same way as for eczema (see above), or try rubbing a few drops of neem oil neat on the skin. Neem Oil Heals Acne or Pimples It doesn’t matter where the acne is – scalp or face or body – neem oil will shrink those pesky breakouts and help you get smooth, clear skin. All thanks to its astringent and anti-inflammatory effects. Plus, neem oil enhances the natural immunity and health of your skin and helps prevent future breakouts – which is fab. To use neem oil for acne, you need ¼ teaspoon neem oil 1 teaspoon fullers earth or bentonite clay (optional) You can simply apply neem oil on acne spot and leave on do its work. Or you can apply neem oil with the clay of your choice – fullers or bentonite. Place neem oil and clay in a bowl and add little water to form a smooth paste. Apply on the pimples and leave it to dry. Wash with plain water. Neem Oil Removes Lice Neem oil is pretty lethal for the head lice. Its insecticidal qualities disrupt the growth, feeding and reproduction of the lice. So, it will eventually kill them. And in the process of getting rid of lice, neem oil will benefit your hair by making it soft and smooth, and your scalp healthy and nourished. To use neem oil for lice, you need 1 teaspoon neem oil 3 tablespoons coconut oil 20 drop tea tree essential oil (optional) Put neem oil and coconut oil in a bowl and mix well. You can also add tea tree essential oil to make the mixture more potent – tea tree has lice killing properties. Massage into your scalp and hair and let it sit for a couple of hours before washing it out. Repeat every other day until the lice is gone. What Do I do About the Smell of Neem oil? Neem has a strong, pungent odor. It’s not the best of the smells, but as we saw above, neem oil is super beneficial for hair and scalp so you can ignore the smell, or you can mask it by mixing it with a carrier oil and essential oils. How to Use Neem Oil in General? When using neem oil, dilute it with base oils like olive, avocado, coconut oil, or jojoba oil. You can use between 10% to 20% neem oil in a blend. You can also add a few drops of lavender or ylang ylang or any other essential oil to mask the smell, as well as enhance its effects. Buying Neem Oil Many sellers add synthetic fragrances to neem oil to make it smell better. But such oil won’t be very effective, and it may cause more harm than good. Always buy cold-pressed, unrefined oil neem oil that’s in its pure state. Neem oil is yellowish-brown in color, and it gets solid in cold weather (just like coconut oil). Side effects and cautions It’s not common to have neem allergies. However, if you have never applied neem oil, do a patch test on your forearm to make sure you don’t react. Also, if you are pregnant, lactating or have a medical condition, check with your medical practitioner before using neem oil. Ref: www.hairbuddah.net

Nothing can kill a hairstyle quite like humidity, you know what I mean? If you live in a humid climate you understand the struggle is real! One. Products MATTER and the right formula + application method is vital to your success. We’d encourage you to better understand how the order of product application matters. We know for many humidity can cause frizziness, curl, or unwanted texture so a good product to invest in to control problems is a serum that you apply before you blow hair dry. It will help control frizz and fly-aways. Two. The way you style your hair + handle it throughout the day matters as well. The less you touch and mess with it, the better! If you curl or straighten it in the morning and need to refresh during the second half of the day, just focus on the top and front layers of your hair. Avoid adding more hairspray or any kind of “finishing” spray. It’ll make your hair feel too stiff. Three. If everything fails, have a backup plan that you can pull off in seconds. Like a clear elastic available for an easy low ponytail if humidity really ruins your hairstyle. That’s the quickest and easiest way to pull your hair back without necessarily looking like your hairstyle is too casual. Here are some tips on dealing with the humidity: Wash-day fix - Use a good conditioner and use it on more than your tips. A good conditioner can replenish hair with frizz-fighting lipids which work to fill pores with nutrients rather than with frizz-causing humidity. Conditioners can slow how quickly hair absorbs humidity. On-the-go fix – Smooth hair with a dab of oil. Oils can work on dry hair for a quick touch-up when you’re already well into your day. They help to block humidity from taking over your hair, keeping humidity on the outside where it belongs. Hot fix – Heat-style to get your hair back into shape between washes. Flat irons and curling irons are a sure bet for turning unruly hair back to “in-control” hair. That’s ok, as long as you take steps to shield your hair from extreme temperatures. Two ways you can do that: Turn the heat down on your iron. If you can get your look at temperatures no greater than 370°F, your hair will thank you. Temperatures above this point do a lot more damage. Use a heat protectant spray to more evenly disperse heat. Lasting fix – Hold the style you created with a humidity-resisting hairspray. Hairsprays have advanced far beyond the lacquer-effect they once had. They can now give you a more flexible hold and help your hair keep the look you created, even in high humidity. Natural fix – Embrace your natural texture. Frizz is the biggest problem for those of us who work against our natural hair texture. This can be the right time of year to try out new styles closer to your hair’s natural texture. You can try smoothing serums or oils to give you more definition without having to rely on heat. Think of frizz as a good reason to return to your roots. It’ll be easiest to touch up during the day!

Every girl has gone through at least one bangs phase in her life, as bangs are one of the most transformational ways to change up your look. Whether the bangs phase you went through has you yearning to shake things up again or left you riddled with regret even years later, we’re here today to show you otherwise and to convince you that there’s no better time than now to try out bangs again. If you’re someone who is haunted by the memory of having bangs at one point, the reason is likely because they weren’t the right type of bangs for your face shape, or hair type, and coming across as unflattering. Choosing a style that works well to highlight your features is key when it comes to bangs. While some women look stunning with a bold blunt bang, others better suit a wispy side swept look. The second key area to think about when it comes to bangs is what your personal style is like and how you want the world to perceive you. Is your style laid back and bohemian? Why not try out a middle part and long face-framing bangs? Or are you eccentric and bold? How about a shorter micro bang straight from the runway? Today, we’re here to provide you with a jam-packed, definitive guide to all things bangs so you’ll never have haircut regret again. By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid idea of what type of bangs will not only suit your face shape and features but also matches up with your personality and style. Follow along as we guide you through our roundup of all things bangs-related. Step one: how to choose the right bangs for your face shape   First things first, before choosing a style of bang it’s important to determine what is the most flattering hairstyle for your face shape and features. The basic rule of finding a great bang for your face shape is to choose a style that highlights your best features and creates the illusion of a perfectly oval face. We broke down the different face shapes into four general categories that most women fall under including round, heart, square and oval. For whichever face shape you have, here’s a general guide of what bang style we recommend for the most universally flattering look for each unique shape. ROUND FACE: SIDE BANGS CHARACTERISTICS OF A ROUND FACE If you have a round face, the length and width of your face are about equal. Your jaw is likely quite round with minimal sharp angles and your cheekbones are the widest part of your face. Think Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift as points of reference for a round-shaped face  THE BANGS If you’re someone who has a round face, we recommend opting for bangs that elongate the face, like side bangs. The angle of the bang, especially when it features a strong diagonal line, creates more length and elongates a round face in a flattering way. HEART FACE: PARTED BANGS  CHARACTERISTICS OF A HEART SHAPED FACE If you have a heart-shaped face, you likely have a sharp, pointy chin and a wider forehead, like the shape of a heart. Many girls with heart-shaped faces also have a widow’s peak in their hairline. Their forehead and cheekbones are often the widest part of the face and the jaw is the narrowest part. Think Kim Kardashian and Blake Lively as points of reference.  THE BANGS If you have a heart-shaped face, we love a bang style that balances the forehead and chin like a parted, curtain style bang that hits just above the jaw. Having length in the bangs that reach to the jaw helps to add width to the chin, which is often narrowest part of the face for girls with heart-shaped faces. Also, because this style of bangs is so long, it holds enough weight to work with and hold down a potential cowlick that’s common with widow’s peaks. SQUARE FACE: WHISPY BANGS CHARACTERISTICS OF A SQUARE FACE If you’re a square-faced gal, you likely have a squared jaw and minimal curve to your face meaning your forehead, cheekbones and jaw are about equal in width. Think Hailey Baldwin and Angelina Jolie as points of reference! THE BANGS If you’re someone who has a square face, the key when it comes to bangs is to keep things soft due to the strong angles of your face. Whether you want a front bang or side bang, it’s simply important that the bang appears wispy and light. The tapered ends and layers of a style like this soften the angles of a square face and help to create the illusion of balance within the features. OVAL FACE: ANY BANGS CHARACTERISTICS OF AN OVAL FACE: If you have an oval shaped face, your face is likely slightly longer than it is wide and your cheekbones are the widest part of your face. Your jaw and forehead are also rounded and there are no sharp angles. The oval face is often considered the ideal, and most common face shape. Think Jessica Alba and Rihanna as points of reference! THE BANGS If you’re someone with an oval-shaped face, lucky you! The possibilities for you are quite open when it comes to the different types of bangs to explore. Soft, blunt bangs or a side-swept look could work well to draw attention up to the eyes, but it’s really up to you which direction you take. Oval faces are ideal for experimentation with hairstyles since a wide variety of looks appear flattering. Step two: choosing the rIght bangs for your personality While it may seem like there are quite a few guidelines to follow for flattering bangs that suit your face, they are really just suggestions. The secret to looking gorgeous is truly just to have a hairstyle that makes you feel confident and shows off your personality.  Bangs can spice up your hairstyle and show off who you are and the image you want the world to perceive of you. Whether you’re edgy, classic or a girly girl, we’re confident there’s a bang out there that will perfectly encapsulate your style and personality. Follow along for our roundup of the best bangs hairstyles for every type of girl: THE FREE SPIRIT: SIDE SWEPT BANGS If you’re a free-spirited girl, you’re likely someone who doesn’t like to commit and often dabbles in many different hairstyles. You’re fun loving, creative and often don’t take life too seriously. In all honesty, you’re the ideal candidate to try out bangs because you won’t overthink the style too much and will let your free spirit take the wheel. For the free-spirited personality, we love a whimsical side swept bang that hits just below the eyebrow. A side bang exudes youthfulness and lightness, which is perfect for you! BOLD: BLUNT BANGS The bold girl is willing to try out anything and wants people to notice when she makes a hair change! She’s all about the shock factor and no style is too experimental for her. Because of this, we’d suggest going with something blunt like heavy front bangs. Many people would shy away from such a drastic hair change, but the key to pulling off a bold style is confidence, which is exactly what you have! A blunt front bang was made for you to try out at least once. EDGY: CHOPPY BANGS If you’re an edgy girl, you’re likely someone who loves a purposely undone type of hairstyle. You like things to look a little unruffled and are all about the effortless look when it comes to both your hair and style. For all you edgy girls, we’d suggest a choppy bang of some sort that is textured and messy looking. A choppy bang that hangs a little into the eyes is perfect if you’re an edgy girl with a soft spot for a darker eye look or a smoky eye. This type of messy, choppy bang will highlight your eyes fabulously but also exude a total leather jacket, rocker chic type of vibe. CLASSIC: WHISPY FRONT BANGS If you’re a classic girl, you likely shy away from change when it comes to your hair so something subtle and timeless like a wispy front bang is what we’d suggest for you! You’re preppy, timeless and always sophisticated when it comes to your style. A classic girl loves a hairstyle that she can look back on years from now and still thoroughly enjoy, which is exactly the case with a soft front bag. It’s a style that has been around for years and will continue to do so. It’s feminine, whimsical and a style of bang that decades of women can vouch for as being highly flattering. GIRLY: PARTED BANG If you’re an uber-feminine girly-girl, a parted curtain-style bang is the look for you! A curtain style bang typically is longer near the temples and gets increasingly shorter near the center of the face where it is subtly parted. If you’re girly, you’re likely an expert in the hair styling department and are able to keep up with a style like this. The beauty of a curtain-style bang is that it really highlights the eyes and cheekbones, which will show off your glam eye makeup, perfectly crafted brows, and glowing highlighter. ECCENTRIC: MICRO BANGS If you’re an eccentric girl, you want a bang style that's totally unexpected and something no one else will have. For you, we’d suggest a micro bang! It’s definitely a risk out of many people’s comfort zones, but that’s exactly why it works for you. You get a thrill out of being unique and different, and a micro bang will undeniably make you stand out from the crowd. Not to mention, a micro bang is actually surprisingly flattering. It highlights the eyes and eyebrows beautifully, which is why it’s often seen on runways and high-fashion editorial photoshoots. BOHEMIAN: MIDDLE PARTED, LONG BANGS As a bohemian girl, you’re about as low maintenance as it gets when it comes to your hair! You love soft layers and natural-looking hair that doesn’t require a lot of work to keep looking healthy and flowing. For you, bohemian soul, we’d suggest a middle-parted long bang. A middle part obviously gives off the ‘70s and boho vibes, but the soft layering around the face adds a subtle modern feel as well. A style bang like this is quite simple to keep up with and looks equally as beautiful as it grows out. GLAMOROUS: ARCHED BANG If you’re a glamorous girl, you likely dream of red-carpet hair and full blowouts on a regular basis. You’re all about the volume and achieving bigger than life hair that catches people’s attention. For you, an arched bang is what we’d recommend! An arched bang is similar to a blunt bang, but rather than sitting straight on the head, it arches naturally with the shape of your forehead. It’s a style straight out of old Hollywood and one of the first bang styles that many celebrities opt for when they’re drastically changing their hair. Hopefully, this guide has given you some inspiration and narrowed down a few options for bangs that you could show off to your stylist! Bangs are such a great underrated way to spice up your style without the commitment of doing a dramatic chop. Whether you go the aesthetic route and work with your face shape or the personality-inspired route (or both!) we know you’re going to be hitting 2020 looking absolutely fabulous with your new ‘do. Ref: luxyhair.com

Follow these, save these, rewrite them in your journal, whatever you choose to do, but believe us they really do help! Brushing Get an extension brush. This is vital, you will literally rip your head of hair out if you try and brush them continuously with a normal brush, so seriously get one, they are worth every cent. Roots This is brushing continued you could say - because it is very important to never brush your roots. Why? Because this is where your extensions are bonded to your head and you will damage them and potentially pull them out if you brush them. Instead finger your hands through the roots to keep them from tangling and then hold your hair in a fist just under your ear and just brush the ends. By holding your hair, you are taking pressure off the bonds therefore keeping them tight.  Shampoo Choose a natural or extension friendly shampoo. Stay away from any shampoo with Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) as this often damages and corrodes the bonds. Washing When in the shower, turn the temperature to cold just before you get out and give your hair a blast of the cold shower, this will help keep your bonds once again nice and tight and close your pores too. *NEVER wash your hair over the bath as all the bonds will tangle. Always wash your hair standing up. Conditioner Never condition the roots as you'll cause the bonds to unravel over time, instead, condition only the ends, this is all you need anyways. Drying Always fully dry your bonds, you can let the ends dry naturally if you want, but it is very important to keep the roots bone dry. Another tip is to put your hairdryer on the cold setting, as it is once again, you guessed it, better for the bonds. At night  When sleeping, a very good tip I learnt is to plait your hair before you go to bed, not only does this give your hair a fab beachy wave when you wake up, but it also keeps your hair from tangling. Back brushing Don't do it. It can result in hairs being pulled out. Hairspray Hairspray is OK, just remember to properly wash it out the next day! Itching When you get a new set of extensions, especially your first set ever, it is normal for them to feel a little itchy. Often, it’s just your head getting used to them and sometimes it could be because you need to give them a wash. Obviously if itching persists, go to your stylist but usually, it is normal!  And most importantly, ENJOY your new locks! We know you don't need these "enhancements" to feel a certain way, but if it gives you a boost to your self-esteem, why not go for it!

Giving bangs the right amount of curl can be a tricky task. If you over curl bangs, they can become a tight, tiny coil. However, if they aren’t curled effectively, they can fall limp and hang in your eyes. There are several proven methods for giving bangs some shape, each of which you can tailor to accommodate the qualities of your fringe and how much curl you want to give it. Round Brush Shape your bangs with a large-barreled round brush and a hairdryer set to medium heat. To smooth the hair without giving it a substantial arch, brush the bangs down as you aim the hairdryer toward them, angled downward. Once the bangs are straight, set the brush aside. Continue aiming the hairdryer at your bangs as you tousle them with your fingers to give them a little volume and shape. To give your bangs a more rounded shape, brush under the bangs, rotating the brush as you point the hairdryer toward it. Velcro Roller You can also use a Velcro roller to set your bangs in a curled shape while you style the rest of your hair or focus on other tasks. Grab a Velcro roller in the largest size available. Separate your bangs from the rest of your hair and smooth them with a comb or brush. Roll them with the Velcro roller and allow them to set for at least 15 minutes. You can expedite the process by giving them a blast of hot air from a hairdryer. Mist them briefly with hairspray before removing the roller. Curling Iron For a dramatic curl worthy of an old-school pin-up girl, grab a large-barreled curling iron set to high heat. Comb or brush all of your bangs together and use your non-dominant hand to pull them taut, away from your face. Hold the curling iron with your dominant hand. Then, roll the curling iron under until it is near your hairline. You only need to keep them in the curling iron for a few seconds, depending on how thick the fringe is and how round you want the curl to be. If they're not perfect after your first attempt, you can always try again until they're just right. Considerations Starting with semi-damp bangs will yield a more defined and lasting curl. After you finish curling them, apply a dab of smoothing cream to eliminate frizz and give the hair a finished look. If you over-curl your bangs, aim a hairdryer at them for a second or two to deflate them.

One of the things we love most about the holidays is that even ordinary outings feel special. The holidays are the time to dress up and put your best face forward, so it’s unlikely your everyday cosmetics and beauty routine are up to snuff. While you don’t need to run out and purchase a whole new makeup palette, you can make a few inexpensive tweaks to your beauty routine and up your game for holiday parties and time with friends and family. To gear up for the dinners, cocktail parties, and movie nights, inventory your makeup bag to make sure you’re prepped and ready for the festivities. Throw out clumpy mascara and that lipstick you hate, and set aside broken eyeshadows and blushes to resalvage and repurpose. EYES Double-Duty Eyeshadow You probably have a bunch of old or broken eyeshadow palettes lying around. These are perfect double-duty beauty products you can turn into bold, smoky eyeliners. Simply crush a bit of shadow in a small container and add a few drops of water to create a damp – but not soaking wet – consistency. Once the eyeshadow is damp, use a clean shadow applicator and line the top edge of your eyelid. The result is a thick, dramatic line, especially beautiful in dark blues, purples, bronzes, and golds. As an added bonus, damp eyeshadow is much easier to control than liquid liner. False Lashes Fake lashes cost less than $5 at the drugstore, and if you purchase them in individual lash clumps instead of a full strip, you’ll have enough to last the entire season. Use tweezers to remove the lashes from the packaging, then dip the stem into the provided lash glue. Put one or two clumps on the outer edges of each eye for fuller, eye-framing lashes. Just wash them off with soap when you’re done. Add Color You probably have black and brown eyeliner in your makeup bag, but because the holidays lend themselves to a more adventurous look, try experimenting with an inexpensive colored pencil for the holidays. If you have brown eyes, grab a navy pencil. If your eyes are blue, a maroon color looks best. Green-eyed girls can opt for a bronze color. A little unexpected color can perfect a festive look. LIPS Exfoliate Your Pout Dry winter air and indoor heating can wreak havoc on your skin and lips, leaving them begging for a little extra TLC. I like to exfoliate my lips using a clean, unused toothbrush dipped in a small amount of baking soda. Rub your lips in a circular motion to slough off dry skin. After exfoliating, slather on a moisturizing lip balm before adding your lip color on top. The result is smoother lips and improved lipstick application. Volumize Your Lips If you weren’t blessed with Angelina Jolie’s perfect pout, try this trick for fuller lips. Slick on your lip color then blot your lips on a tissue. Use a clear glitter gloss, dotting it on the center of your top and bottom lip. This causes light to refract on the fullest part of your lips, making them look much fuller. Reapply often throughout the night to keep your pucker looking plump. CHEEKS Skip the Powder Even if you usually use powder blush, ditch it in favor of a cream-based blush for the holiday season. Cream blushes create a more natural flush and won’t aggravate dried-out skin. Look for a bright, sheer color that blends well for the best results. Master Color Placement If you’re not sure where to apply your blush, try this: Smile, then place two fingers beside your nose. Dot the cream blush on the apples of your cheeks beside your fingers, blending well for a natural finish. Use a Shimmery Eyeshadow To make your cheeks look even brighter, use a white, shimmery eyeshadow to highlight your cheekbones. Sweep the shadow over the tops of your cheekbones with a fan brush, then dust a bit on your brow bone and the bow of your lips for a glowing finish. FACE Moisturize with Makeup If your skin is dry, your makeup can flake and look obvious. Instead of using powder, mix liquid foundation with facial moisturizer in a one-to-one ratio and carefully press the mixture onto your face with a cosmetic sponge. The moisturizer hydrates your skin while thinning out the foundation, providing sufficient coverage without a flaky finish. Use the “Bronzer 3” Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to let go of your summer glow. Bring out your cheekbones and give your face a healthy flush by applying bronzer in a “3” shape. Take a big, fluffy brush, load it up with bronzer powder, and draw an imaginary number 3 on one side of your face. Start at the center of your forehead, sweep down around your eyes and onto your cheekbones, then drag it down and across your chin. Repeat on the other side for a perfect sun-kissed finish. Feature One Feature While you might want to try lots of new holiday colors, don’t go overboard. The rule of thumb is to only show off one feature at a time. If you’re wearing a ruby red lip color, tone down your eyes with a more natural color. If you’re applying a smoky eye, keep your lips pale or use a clear lip gloss instead. HAIR Color Well in Advance If you’re planning to freshen up your hair color or get new highlights, schedule your appointment a week or two in advance of any big event. Not only are salons busier during the holiday season, but your color needs a couple weeks to reach the perfect tone. If you’re doing your own color, only go a shade or two darker or lighter than your current shade. Drastic changes are best left to the pros. Get Sparkly Now’s the perfect time to add a little sparkle. A pretty barrette, a bejeweled headband, or a brooch secured with bobby pins can turn a plain ponytail or simple style into something special. While it’s true that the holidays are a great time to experiment with color and sparkle, you don’t want to go overboard. Dry skin and too much color can derail your attempts at the perfect holiday look. By adding a few new products and making special allowances for dry, winter skin, you can achieve a holiday-perfect look that lasts all season. Ref: www.moneycrashers.com

There's no getting around this: Styling curly hair can be a challenge. t's inherently dry, often coarse, and prone to frizz. Not to mention the fact that a large number of us have multiple curl patterns on our very own heads. But here's the great thing: With the right tricks and products, you can get a halo of soft, healthy curls just the way you want them. Scroll down to discover their best curly-hair tips.   Try “Dusting” The "dusting" technique keeps my curls healthy between costly hair appointments. Invest in hair shears from your local beauty supply store, style your hair as you typically wear it, and then go through your hair, curl by curl, and simply snip off the tips that look or feel a bit rough. By trimming your hair while it's dry and in its curly state, you'll know exactly how it will look—and you won't have any shrinkage shock after washing your hair.  —Charmaine Daudu, YouTube vlogger Time Your Washes I often plan my hair in advance. For example, if I'm going to a party on Saturday, I know that I have to wash my hair no later than Thursday to have my best hair possible. I love my hair when it's at maximum fullness but still has defined curls. First- and second-day curls are a little too defined, but third day hair is just right. —Amber Lucas, founder of Amused Blog Do Weekly Scalp Treatments I use pure Argan Oil and Moroccan Red Clay Powder on my scalp to moisturize my roots. Once a week I mix the two into a paste and massage it into my scalp and hair. I let it sit for about 20 minutes before I rinse it out. It's like a hot oil treatment, but the clay also helps clarify and exfoliate any dead skin, buildup, or dandruff on my scalp. Christiana Greene, founder and curator of online vintage shop Bum-Cake vintage   Strengthen Strands With Protein I always make sure to have a conditioning product with protein among my styling products. —Claire Geist, founder of De Lune Scrunch Away Scrunching is key! Before you leave the shower, flip your head over and scrunch out excess liquid. Then diffuse lightly with your head flipped over and continue to scrunch! This creates awesome bounce and volume. —Daisha, singer and cofounder of D(n)A Arts Add Dry Conditioner Instead of wetting hair, take a small amount of conditioner and apply it to the midlengths and ends of hair to refresh, remoisturize, and revitalize curls. The conditioner acts as lotion does for skin and protects it, leaving curls strong and touchable. —Isabella Vázquez, hairstylist and founder of CurlPopNHair Deep-Condition Regularly As a girl with very thick, curly hair that's always thirsty for moisture, I make sure that I'm doing regular deep-conditioning treatments. I deep-condition once a week, adding a plastic shower cap and sitting for about 30 minutes before I rinse. —Jasmine Winters, photographer and YouTube vlogger Cocktail Products If You Can’t Find One Do-It-All I can't remember the last time I used only one product to achieve shiny, defined curls. —Joyjah Estrada, model and Instagram influencer Use a Curling Iron for Touch-Ups Don't be ashamed to use a curling iron. If you highlight your hair, like I do, the top layer of your hair probably isn't as curly as the layer’s underneath because of damage from the dye. So, I use a small or tapered barrel iron on dry hair to define some of those pieces give my hair a more uniform look.  —Kate Albrecht, founder of Mr. Kate Dry Your Hair With Care The process after washing my hair is vital! When I go to sleep with wet hair, it explodes. When I blow-dry it entirely, it becomes super fluffy. So, I blow-dry only the ends of my hair and a few locks at the front with a round brush. Then I put my hair in a low ponytail and let it air-dry. My curls look polished instead of fluffy or out of control. —Malena Permentier, founder of Fashion Container Experiment With Techniques I've experimented with ways to do my hair daily and found "wash and go" works for me. It's basically wetting your hair in the shower, applying shampoo or conditioner, allowing your hair to air-dry, and just going about your day. I do it every day to give my hair shape—and if I don't, it'll just be a giant, fluffy mess. That's it. I don't use any other products! —Sunita V., blogger and Youtube vlogger Be Meticulous When Applying Products I rake and smooth styling products through my hair in small sections to coat every strand and ensure definition. If you quickly apply a product all over, you may miss certain areas and your curls may not be as defined. —Rayna, YouTube vlogger   Blow-Dry Strategically I blow-dry with a diffuser, and once my hair is relatively—but not totally—dry, I scrunch it up and clip my curls with a few jaw clips. This way, they can dry without the weight of my hair pulling them down. When I'm almost ready to go, I take the clips out, blow-dry it a little longer, and I'm good to go! —Liz Morrow, founder of Delightfully Tacky Braid Before Bed I braid my hair at night—it keeps my hair from getting frizzy while I sleep. —Christina Caradona, model and founder of Trop Rouge Condition First I condition before I ever put any shampoo in my hair, and keep the shampoo in for as little time as possible. Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Curl Nourish Conditioner is my new fave; it detangles and keep my hair from drying out. —Cynthia Andrew, attorney and founder of Simply Cyn Ref: www,glamour.com

We'll go to great lengths to score a smooth, bouncy blowout, but that doesn't mean we need to hire a pro: We rounded up some tricks for getting a gorgeous blowout right at home. Location Matters You know how humidity causes frizz? Well, blow-drying your hair in a muggy bathroom has the same effect. Move the operation to the bedroom. Don't Towel Dry There are two things you should never do with a towel: rub your hair (it causes frizz) or wrap it on top of your head (it flattens roots). Use a Heat Protectant Never let a blow-dryer anywhere near your head without misting on a heat-protecting spray first. These products contain polymers that form a film on the surface of the hair that dissipates the heat. Pay particular attention to the ends, which tend to get the most abuse and are also the most damaged and delicate. Choose Your Dryer Wisely Infrared dryers can be great to use for blowouts since they can help tone down frizz, dry your hair faster thus cutting down on any possible heat damage to hair, so opt for a high-quality tool like our Alpha Wave Pro Infrared Blow Dryer. Dry Your Roots First Always dry your roots first (unless you have bangs). With your head flipped over, massage your roots while blasting them with warm air. You want to get the roots up and off your head as fast as you can. Tame Cowlicks and Unruly Pieces Hold them flat with a brush and blast with hot air for five seconds. Then use the cool-shot button on your blow-dryer to lock them into place. Consider Your Cut If your hair is all one length, a straight, sleek blowout looks great. But if you have lots of layers, do something with more bounce and movement to show them off. Tension Is Everything Work in two-inch sections, and wrap each one tightly around a brush as you pull it (tightly again) through your hair and follow with the nozzle. This is the difference between a glossy, glassy-looking blowout and an obvious DIY job. Keep Your Eye on the Nozzle Meaning, be sure it's always pointing down the hair shaft, and that it's at least three inches away from your hair at all times. That way you'll smooth the cuticle and add shine without completely cooking your hair. Move Quickly if You Have Coarse Hair Otherwise your hair will frizz. If it does, spritz each section with water moments before drying.

Not only do oils help improve the health of your hair by keeping it conditioned and nourished, but they also solve a plethora of hair problems. However, trying to find a suitable oil for your hair can sometimes be tough. While going for cold-pressed organic oils is usually your best bet, you can step your hair care game up a notch by making your own oil blends at home. Here are some homemade hair oils for different hair problems. Hibiscus Hair Oil For Regrowth You Will Need: 5 Hibiscus Flowers 5 Hibiscus Leaves 100 mL Carrier Oil (such as olive or coconut oil) Directions: Crush the hibiscus flowers and leaves until you get a smooth pulp. In a pan, heat your carrier oil and to it add the crushed flowers and leaves. Ensure that you are using a cold-pressed oil as it retains more nutrients than other oils. Heat the oil until it starts to fume and then turn off the heat. Strain the oil and set aside about 2 tablespoons of it for use while storing the rest away in an air-tight container. Massage the oil into your scalp for about 15 minutes and then work it through the length of your hair. Leave it on for an additional 45 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo and then proceed to condition. After you are done washing your hair, squeeze the excess water out of it using a towel. Let your hair air dry. How Often? 2-3 times a week Why It Works: Hibiscus is rich in amino acids and vitamin C, both of which are essential hair growth nutrients. They help nourish your scalp and stimulate hair growth from dormant follicles. Hibiscus also conditions your hair, strengthens the roots, and prevents hair fall. Citrus Oil For Dandruff You Will Need: 1 tbsp Orange and Lemon Peel Powder 100 mL Carrier Oil (such as olive or coconut oil) Directions: First, you will need to prepare your citrus peel powder. For this, sun-dry some orange and lemon peels until they start to harden. This will take a couple of days. Once hard, grind the peels to a fine powder. Optionally, you can buy readymade orange and lemon peel powder. In a pan, heat your carrier oil and to it add a tablespoon of your citrus powder. Ensure that you are using a cold-pressed oil as it retains more nutrients than other oils. Heat the oil until it starts to fume and then turn off the heat. Strain the oil and set aside about 2 tablespoons of it for use while storing the rest away in an air-tight container. Massage the oil into your scalp for about 15 minutes and then work it through the length of your hair. Leave it on for an additional 45 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo and then proceed to condition. After you are done washing your hair, squeeze the excess water out of it using a towel. Let your hair air dry. How Often? 2-3 times a week Why It Works: Citrus peels are a rich source of vitamin C and also have excellent anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help soothe your scalp, relieving itching and flaking. Amla Oil For Hair Loss You Will Need: 100g Amla Powder 1 cup Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil 4L Water Prep Time 5 hours Directions: Take about 70 grams of the amla powder and boil it in 4 liters of water. Let water boil until it has reduced to 1/4th of its original quantity. Set this decoction aside to cool. Once it has cooled, use a cheesecloth to strain and collect the amla water. In a bowl dilute the rest of the amla powder with some water to form a thick, consistent paste. Add this paste and the coconut oil to the amla decoction and boil them together. Let the ingredients boil until all the water evaporates. You should be left with a mixture of amla powder and oil. Let this mixture cool. Set aside about 2 tablespoons of the oil for use while storing the rest away in an air-tight container. Massage the oil into your scalp for about 15 minutes and then work it through the length of your hair. Leave it on for an additional 45 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo and then proceed to condition. After you are done washing your hair, squeeze the excess water out of it using a towel. Let your hair air dry. How Often? Twice a week Why It Works: Amla contains essential fatty acids, vitamin C, and antioxidants, all of which work together to boost scalp health and strengthen your roots. This helps curb hair fall and boost healthy hair growth. Tulsi Hair Oil For An Itchy Scalp You Will Need: A bunch of Tulsi Leaves 100mL Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil 1 tsp Fenugreek Seeds (Optional) Directions: Grind the tulsi leaves with a small amount of water to get a thick, consistent paste. In a pan, heat the coconut oil on low heat and to it add the Tulsi paste. Optionally, you can also add a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds. Heat the oil for about 10 minutes on low heat and then set it aside to cool. Strain the oil and set aside about 2 tablespoons of it for use while storing the rest away in an air-tight container. Massage the oil into your scalp for about 5 minutes and then work it through the length of your hair. Leave it on for an additional 15 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo and then proceed to condition. After you are done washing your hair, squeeze the excess water out of it using a towel. Let your hair air-dry. How Often? Twice a week Why It Works: Tulsi has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It is also a rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants. Not only does this herb help promote scalp health, but it also has a cooling effect which helps soothe inflammation and irritation. Jamaican Black Castor Oil For Hair Growth & Thicker Hair You Will Need: 1 tbsp Jamaican Black Castor Oil 1 tbsp Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil 6 drops Lavender Essential Oil 6 drops Rosemary Essential Oil  Directions: In a bowl, combine all the ingredients to get a smooth blend. Massage this oil blend into your scalp for about 15 minutes and then work it through the length of your hair. Leave it on for an additional 30 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo and then proceed to condition. After you are done washing your hair, squeeze the excess water out of it using a towel. Let your hair air dry. How Often? 2-3 times a week. Why It Works: Castor oil has excellent hair thickening properties. It helps stimulate hair growth from dormant follicles while also strengthening and maintaining the health of your hair shafts. In combination with coconut oil and other essential oils, it creates the perfect blend for boosting hair growth and increasing hair volume. Curry Leaves and Coconut Oil for Gray Hair  You Will Need: A handful of Curry Leaves 2 tbsp Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil Directions: In a pan, heat the coconut oil and to it add the curry leaves. Continue to heat the oil on a low flame until black residue starts to form around the curry leaves. Turn off the heat and set the oil aside to cool. Once cool, strain the oil and start applying it to your hair. Massage the oil into your scalp for about 15 minutes and then work it through the length of your hair. Leave it on for an additional 45 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild sulfate-free shampoo and then proceed to condition. After you are done washing your hair, squeeze the excess water out of it using a towel. Let your hair air dry. How Often? 2-3 times a week Why It Works: This oil helps get rid of dead skin cells while nourishing the scalp. It also helps restore melanin (the pigment that gives your hair its color) which helps prevent and reverse premature graying. Because everyone’s hair is different, it might take you a bit of trial and error to find the perfect fit. With these simple DIY hair oils, you can finally attain the hair of your dreams. Ref: www.stylecraze.com