• Oribe

    by  • August 29, 2009

    HOW TO SET THE TEMPERATURE ON A CURLING IRON

    by  • August 16, 2009

    As tempting as it is to just pick the highest setting on hot tools in hopes of saving time with maximum sleekness, deep down you know the damage it causes. While  coarse and thicker healthy hair can better hold up to the heat, thin or chemically treated hair should turn it down a notch. Or several notches. Or burn it off and jack it up and have bad hair!

    Hot Tools Irons sold at Sally Beauty are the best. IMO.Even though many flat irons have built-in temperature settings in degrees, others simply list ranges from low to high. If you’re operating with a tool with no thermostat, there’s a simple test to make sure your iron is hot enough . . . but not too hot to handle. Do this simple test with thermal irons. Find out how to do this at home and read more.Tear a small piece of tissue paper, big enough to fit inside the tool but with a little extra to hold. Mist the center lightly with a water spritzer (three squirts max).

    • Place the paper between the heating plates or against the comb for five to 10 seconds.
    • When it’s ready to go, the paper should come out dry, but clean. If it’s still damp, wait a few minutes before retesting.
    • If it’s too hot, you will see smoke and scorching or other discoloration on the paper. Turn it down!
    • Never use over 300 degrees unless you have very 6a8557d8ce74d3da_hotironxlargecoarse or ethnic hair.

    10 Foods for Healthy Hair

    by  • July 21, 2009

    healthyhairHealthy hair doesn’t come from a bottle of shampoo or an expensive styling product. Healthy hair is grown from the inside out. The healthier people eat, the healthier their hair will be. A well-balanced diet that includes the foods listed below will keep hair looking great. Avoid fad diets or diets low in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, as they will cause hair to look dull and brittle.

    SalmonSalmon is one of the top foods to keeping hair healthy. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep the scalp from drying, thus causing hair to look dull. Vitamin B-12 and iron are also found in salmon, both essential to keeping the body healthy.

    BeansBeans are filled with protein, which promotes hair growth. Beans are also rich in iron, zinc and biotin. A deficiency in biotin causes brittle hair, though this is a rare condition.

    Dark Green VegetablesDark green vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard and broccoli are high in vitamin A and C, which are needed to produce sebum. Sebum is an oily substance secreted by the hair follicles. This substance is a natural hair conditioner.

    EggsEggs are an excellent source of protein, biotin and vitamin B-12. All are important in keeping hair healthy. Unlike some foods, the preparation of the eggs doesn’t seem to make a difference–the benefits are the same.

    NutsDifferent types of nuts offer different benefits. Brazil nuts are a great source of selenium. Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids that condition the hair. Walnuts, cashews, almonds and pecans are high in zinc. Zinc deficiency may lead to hair shedding.

    PoultryChicken and turkey are high in protein. A lack of protein can lead to brittle hair, while a severe lack of protein can cause loss of hair color. Eating the good sources of protein found in poultry can help prevent this loss of color and keep hair strong.

    OystersWhile more widely known as an aphrodisiac, oysters are an excellent source of zinc, a wonderful antioxidant. In addition to oysters, beef, lamb, nuts and whole grains all contain zinc for healthy hair.

    Whole GrainsZinc, iron and B vitamins are found in whole grains. Whole grain breads as well as fortified breakfast cereals all contain these essential vitamins and minerals to keep hair healthy.

    CarrotsCarrots are known for their good vision benefits. Filled with vitamin A, they are also an excellent way to keep the scalp healthy. A healthy scalp is vital to a shiny and well-conditioned head of hair.

    Low-fat DairyLow-fat dairy products are high in calcium and protein. Calcium is an important mineral that promotes hair growth. With the benefits of both calcium and protein, low-fat dairy products such as yogurt and cottage cheese are excellent choices for snack time.

    The Secrets to Styling Curly Hair

    by  • July 21, 2009

    curl_flyoutFor all of you ladies with curl out there – curl you’d like to enhance and embrace – there are some very common issues with styling you all share. Many of you choose to simply receive a chemical straightening or relaxer service – which is certainly a viable option. But for those of you who love your curl, it’s a great option to have.

    Wearing beautiful healthy curls can be gorgeous!  But as you know, curly hair tends to frizz, and blow drying generally makes it look even frizzier. It’s a very, very common problem with curls.  The secret to a great curl is NOT to overdry nor over-manipulate the hair while styling.  Over-manipulation – i.e. using your hands too much to scrunch your curls while the hair is wet, or even damp – is what will make the frizz even worse – especially when done in combination with a blow dryer.

    First, it’s really important, as a general rule, for you with curly hair to ensure your hair stays moist constantly, as well as in good condition.  Therefore, you need a good in-shower rinse-out conditioner.  Secondly, once you’re out of the shower, the key is to utilize a lightweight leave-in conditioner to comb through the hair, and then possibly a lightweight, non-sticky gel or glaze.  THEN LET THE HAIR DRY NATURALLY ON ITS OWN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.  The more you introduce a blow dryer while the hair is wet, the frizzier it will become.

    An additional issue is that the curls at the bottom of your hair may be big, while the top of your hair is flat. To solve this issue, the secret is to purchase a few inexpensive ‘jaw’ clips.  Lightly and loosely clip some of your curls towards the top of your head – perhaps a total of three or four sections – and allow the product in your hair to dry naturally for a while. The loosely placed clips will ‘suggest’ to your hair to lift in the areas towards the top of your head, as opposed to the natural progression for the curls to be ‘big’ on the bottom.  You might even consider driving to work with the clips in your hair. When you get to work, sneak into the restroom, take the clips out, and lightly, delicately, and gently scrunch your curls. Perhaps even consider bringing a blow dryer with a diffuser there with you to finish the look.  It’s so much better to add the heat of a blow dryer when the hair has dried.  And by the way, it’s actually ok for you to leave some moisture in your hair. This moisture will hopefully stay in your hair and therefore not allow frizz.

    Turn A Bad Hair Day Into Something With A Stylish Twist

    by  • July 21, 2009

    We all have those days, when our hair just isn’t working. Well, I found a cool and chic solution.

    Braided Headbands are the hottest new must-have. Everybody who is anybody, celebrities included, are wearing them. They add style to any outfit. You can wear it like a headband or wrap it around your hair and make a hip ponytail. It’s a sure way to turn a bad hair day into a head-turning awesome hair day!

    (save) Tonytail Braided Headband $21.99 athttp://www.amazon.com

    (splurge) Victorian Hippie Braided Headband $128 athttp://www.amazon.comheadband

    How-To: Lauren Conrad’s Twisty Braids

    by  • July 15, 2009

    1. For a shiny effect with slight hold, apply a glossing gel to damp hair and blow-dry. lc
    2. Part the hair down the middle. Starting from one side of the part, loosely French braid the hair all the way down, stopping the braiding at to the nape. Secure with an elastic band. Repeat on the other side. Note how Lauren’s stylist only braided hair along the sides, leaving hair from the crown down to the neck out of the mix.
    3. Leaving the two braids out, gather the hair from the crown down to the neck into a ponytail. Secure with an elastic band and twist hair around it, securing with bobby pins into the base of the pony.
    4. Finish up by twisting and wrapping the two ends around the “bun” you created in the third step, using bobby pins to secure.

    How-To: Rachel McAdams’s Twisty Waves

    by  • July 15, 2009

    • Start with hair that’s not freshly washed. Or, to “mess up” right-out-of-the-shower hair, apply a texturizing spray.a165280f11ab7ecd_rachelxlarge
    • Next, twist individual pieces of hair before wrapping around a large-barreled curling iron. Leave the ends out to create a style that has a bit more of an edge, rather than a picture-perfect finish.
    • Part hair how you choose, and twist sides back, anchoring them down with bobby pins. Spritz with a volumizing hairspray, and you’re good to go.