Brushing 101.. Are you Brushing your Hair Correctly?

Hair brushing properly is one of the important hair care technic you should practice very well. What is hair brushing? This in my understanding is the act of caring for your hair by smoothing, styling or grooming with a brush. As you already know that hair brushing is always done with a device called brush. What is a hair brush? This is an object made of short stiff hair (called bristles) or wires with a handle used for grooming hair. To keep up hair growth you need a blood circulation and a clean scalp ( i.e no dirt or oil products build-up on your follicles), that is where brushing your hair comes in. Brushing your hair increases blood circulation as it massages your scalp and hair. Brushing your hair is very important because it’s one of the ways to keep it healthy and shiny. Make sure you’re using the right brush for your hair type or a certain hair style because different types of brushes are made for different purposes of hair care, so always use the right brush according to your need. Using the right hair brush at the right time or at the right hair care can do so lot more good to your hair than any hair products. Brushing your hair cleans it and also polish it as the oil has been distributed to your hair from the scalp. You have to know that brushing works very well when you must have detangle your here first. Brush morning and night to help stimulate your scalp and using a clean brush is very important. Always buying a good brush can be a good investment because if you take good care of the brush it will definitely last for years.

How to properly brush your hair
■Massaging your hair with your finger can be the best way to get it ready for brushing.
■Apply any good product that work for you when detangling to moisturize your hair for smooth brushing e.g detangling lotion, leave-in conditioner, serum or oil. Any of these will make hair easier to brush and less likely to break.
■Section your hair with hair pick or what ever you have. You can section your hair in 4 or more sections, again depending on the thickness and length of your hair.
■Clip all the sections with your hair clips.
■Take one section of your hair with the clip removed and start combing gently from the ends to the root with a wide tooth comb. Comb it untill it’s free and clip it back. Repeat this to all the sections and do it gently.
■Brush your hair gently from the tip to the scalp first and then from the scalp to the tips. Take one section at a time and use the right brush.
■Unclip all the sections and style with the right brush.

Tips for brushing hair
■Always brush your hair gently.
■A good natural boar bristled brushes can be good to your hair than a synthetic one. But a synthetic bristle brush can help you dry your hair faster. This all depend on what you want.
■Too much of brushing your hair can cause damages such as split ends.
■Don’t use brushes that are too stiff, thick, harsh or hard to your scalp or hair, rather use the ones that are flexible.
■Use brushes depending on your hair texture and length for easy styling and to avoid breakages.
■Brushing your hair with natural bristled-brush or boar bristle brushes can be very nice to your hair and make it healthy and this type of brushes also help to spread your hair products e.g oil on the scalp to the ends.
■You can massage your hair, remove dirt and products build-up from your hair and also distribute natural oil from your root to all your hair by brushing it.
■Brushing can stimulate the scalp.
■Don’t brush wet hair to avoid damaging through breakages.
■Short hair can be brushed without much detangling.
■Brushes are very good for styling hair.
■Wide bristled brush can be good for all hair types. Read ‘Hair Types’ posts here .
■Brushing your hair gently at night can make it to be a bit shiny in the morning ( but you have to also put your hair together).
■Clean your brush every day to remove all the dirt and oil build-up and you can do this while in the shower ( this is applicable if you use your brush daily).
■ Never brush your hair with a dirty brush because the dirt will be deposited back to your hair and this can cause damage to your hair.

How to Clean your brushes

■After brushing your hair, always remove the hair in the brush.
■Fill the sink or bucket with warm water.
■Add a tablespoon of your shampoo and two drops of ammonia.(You can buy a cheap shampoo for washing your brushes).
■Put in your brushes in the mixture.
■Leave it for 10-15 minutes.
■Drain the water.
■Rinse them several times, untill you feel its clean.
■Dry them with a towel.

OR
■Fill the sink or bucket with hot water.
■Add 1 table-spoon of baking soda, wait a few seconds for the soda to dissolve.
■Stir the mixture.
■Add your brushes to the mixture.
■Wait for 30 minutes or 1 hour.
■Rinse them with a clean warm water, untill it feels clean.
■Dry them with a towel.

OR
■Fill the sink or bucket with warm water.
■Add white vinegar.
■Put all your brushes in the mixture.
■Rinse it with clean warm water.
■Dry it with a towel.
■Cleaning your brushes with vinegar doesn’t only clean it but it also remove the oily deposits from your hair.

OR
■Fill the sink or bucket with hot water.
■Put your brushes in the water for 10 minutes.
■Put a mild detergent or shampoo.
■Take out the brush from the water and use the rat-tail comb or hair picks to clean it thoroughly.
■Soak it for five-minute in a new clean hot water.
■Rinse it with a lot of luke warm water.
■Dry the brushes with a towel.

How to clean natural brushes
■Always remove hair in your brushes.
■Fill the sink or bucket with warm water.
■Add mild detergent or shampoo.
■Dip the bristles in water for 2 minutes (hold firm the handle as you do this). Don’t put the wooden part of the brush in water as this can damage it.
■Use your pick to remove any dirt or hair on the brush.
■Repeat this about 5 times.
■Rinse with a luke warm water.
■Put it on a towel to air dry.
■You can add anything you want in the water to wash your brush but don’t wash the handle or wooden part, wash only the bristle part you use in brushing.

The Importance of Protein for Healthy Hair.

Even if you are not having a bad hair day, the quality and quantity of your hair is a major component of self-confidence for men and women. Your hair grows about 1/4 to 1/2 inch every month if you have an adequate diet with healthy nutrients. Hair care products often advertise the use of protein for increased hair strength, but it is difficult to know if these claims are accurate.

Protein and Hair

Protein is essential for every organ in your body. It is particularly involved in healthy hair. Keratinocytes are responsible for making keratin, a type of protein essential to hair growth. If you do not take in enough in your diet, hair loss can occur or hair can become dull and brittle. Loss of protein due to various hair care products or even medical conditions will lead to damaged hair. Protein also affects hair texture. According to a study published in the "Journal of Investigative Dermatology" in February 2011, IGF-binding protein 5 affects whether hair is curly or straight, so even the shape of your hair is protein-based.


External Use of Protein

Many hair care products have added protein. The use of protein in the products is for strengthening the hair shaft, adding shine and even for anti-static purposes. If your hair is fine, protein-based products will not thicken the hair shaft but they can make it healthier. Also, some products with protein will coat the surface of the hair but not penetrate the hair shaft. For true hair health, the shaft must take in the protein. Using heat in combination with the protein-based products will help with penetration, according to T.J. Kittelson, a hair care professional who operates a salon in Colorado.

Internal Use of Protein

There is some evidence that ingesting certain types of whey protein can be beneficial for hair. Dr. Lawrence Shapiro, a hair transplant surgeon based in Florida, conducted a study in March of 2010 on the effects of ingesting a whey protein beverage made from concentrated whey protein and other nutrients. His website, Shapiros's hair institute lists the results of this study. One hundred individuals participated in the study and 94 percent noted improved hair condition. Those who participated also noted that use of whey isolate -- a more processed type of whey protein that has little fat -- caused damage to their hair.

Protein-rich Foods for Hair Growth

According to Andrea Giancoli, a dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, you need enough omega-3 fatty acids for a scalp that will support healthy hair growth. Fish such as salmon are rich in this nutrient. If you do not like fish or are a vegetarian, supplementing with flaxseed oil will provide the protein you need. Eat lots of legumes such as kidney and navy beans to get complete proteins. Other good sources of protein in the diet are lean chicken and eggs.

Had a Late Night?... Some tips to un-puff those eyes!

Home Remedy Treatments for Puffy Eyes

So maybe it was a late night 4th of July or another special occasion. Here is some tips on how to get rid of puffy eye...

From the Home Remedies Cupboard

Tea. Green tea or black? Both work well to soothe puffy, irritated eyes. The difference? Not much. Caffeinated teas help constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling, while herbal teas (especially chamomile) contain anti-irritants that soothe redness and inflammation. Steep 2 bags of your choice of tea in hot water for three to five minutes. Let cool until the bags are comfortably warm to the touch. Lie down, close your eyes, and place a tea bag over each eye; then cover with a soft cloth. During hot months, put the cooked tea bags in the refrigerator and apply to eyes when needed for a refreshing, eye-opening experience.

From the Home Remedies Drawer

Spoons. Teaspoon-size spoons are just the right utensils for temporarily helping your eyes reduce to normal proportions. Place 4 or 6 spoons in the refrigerator. When you need to deflate those eyeballs, lie down, close your eyes, and place one spoon (curved side down) on each eye. As the spoon warms, replace it with a cold one from the fridge.

From the Home Remedies Refrigerator

Cucumbers. From the vegetable bin comes the well-known cucumber remedy. Cucumbers aren't only deliciously cool and soothing to the touch, but their astringent properties cause blood vessels to constrict. Lean your head back, rest a slice on each closed eye, and relax for five to ten minutes while the cukes cure your puffiness.

Egg whites. Call this kitchen cure a souffle for the face. Whip up 1 or 2 egg whites until stiff, and apply with a brush or soft cloth underneath your eyes. The skin will feel tighter and look less like puff pastry.

Potato. The common potato also pampers puffy eyes. Tubers are tried and true in European folk medicine as a means to soothe painful joints, headaches, and other inflammatory conditions. Potato starch acts as an anti-inflammatory agent to ease irritated eyes. Start by pretending you're making hash browns. Peel one potato, then wash and dry it. Grate the potato as fine as possible, then instead of frying it up with butter, place the pulp in a clean cloth and fold to make a poultice. Place the poultice on your eyelids for 15 minutes.

From the Home Remedies Sink

Cold water. Eyes seem to puff up on workday mornings when you have 30 minutes to get ready. There's no time to luxuriate with tea bags and cucumber slices --but don't despair. Cold water will work in a pinch. Rise and shine, and rinse your face with several splashes of cold water. This may be a rude awakening, but the coldness will constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling. Plus, it only takes ten seconds. Repeat throughout the day if possible.

Drinking water. Water is the saving grace when it comes to reducing eye puffiness. Be sure you drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day, and don't substitute sodas, coffees, or sugary drinks. When the body is dehydrated, it acts much like a camel, storing water for the long haul across the desert. Instead of a camel's hump, you'll develop water reserves around the eyeballs. By keeping yourself adequately hydrated, the body isn't put into survival mode and won't puff up in all the wrong places.

From the Home Remedies Spice Rack

Salt. Jumbo fries, pepperoni pizza, and other salt-intense foods can cause puffy eyes. However, salt by itself does the eyes good. Get rid of the puffy eyes by mixing 1/2 teaspoon salt into 1 quart warm water. Dip cotton balls or facial pads into the solution, then lie down and apply pads to the eyelids. Rest in this position for at least ten minutes while keeping the pads in place. You'll arise with deflated eyes.

Do Remember
•Enjoy a light self-massage, which can help relieve puffy eyes. Close your eyes and gently press your ring finger underneath one eye, moving in an arc shape from the inside corner to the outside corner. Massage 10 to 15 times. Then repeat on the other eye. This is a great massage to do before jumping out of bed.
•Use two pillows to keep your head elevated while sleeping. Fluid won't accumulate underneath the eyes.
•DON'T vigorously rub your eyeballs in the morning. Avoid touching them throughout the day.
•Watch what you wear. Do your eyes puff up midday? For women, beauty products may be the culprit. Many fingernail polishes, hair sprays, and makeup contain formaldehyde, which can cause eyes to swell. Luckily, the fashion industry is wising up and new formaldehyde-free beauty products are hitting the shelves. Use the process of elimination, avoiding each product for one to two weeks, to determine which is causing the blow-up.
•Give your eyes a break! For every hour you are on the computer, take a five- to ten-minute rest. Stare out the window, close your eyes and meditate, or stroll to the water cooler. While working on the computer, try to look away every few minutes.
•Keep your bedroom free from dust, pollen, and animal dander. Remove all dust-collecting objects, wash sheets once a week in very hot water, cover the mattress and pillows with dust-mite protective coverings, and bar pets from the bed. During pollen season, wash your hair before hitting the pillow, and use air conditioning instead of opening the window.
•Use hypoallergenic soaps and fragrance- and color-free detergen.

Eye am Patriotic...

Want an easy and beautiful way to show just how patriotic you are? Try a smokey blue eye for Independence day! Here is how:

Eyes
1.To create a smokey eye line, use an angled eyeshadow brush to apply a black liquid liner under the lower lash line.
2.Using a flat brush, press purple eyeshadow over the existing lower lash eyeliner.
3.Apply a purple eyeliner pencil over the mobile lid as a base for your shadow. Blend out softly above the socket line.
4.Using a large, flat shading brush, set the eye pencil base with your purple eyeshadow.
5.Apply a black eyeshadow to the outer edge of the eye to create a unique smoky shade, blend just past the socket line.
6.Add a splash of color to the inner corner of the eye using a shimmer of blue shadow.
7.Using a contour brush, sweep a beige / neutral eyeshadow through the socket line.
8.With a fine brush, apply black liquid liner to the upper lash line. Create a crisp line, from the inner corner of the eye and tapering at the outer corner of the eye.
9.For added intensity, apply black eyeshadow to the outer edge of the eye line.
10.Apply two coats of mascara to the top lashes and one coat to the lower lashes.
11.For a bold lash boost, add false lashes to the top lash line.

Seeing Red... A couple of Red Heads who may have fooled you...

Did you know Red hair occurs on approximately 1–2% of the human population.[1][2] It occurs more frequently (2–6%) in people of northern or western European ancestry, and less frequently in other populations. Red hair appears in people with two copies of a recessive gene on chromosome 16 which causes a mutation in the MC1R protein. With so few "gingers" running around, there are certainly many in hollywood... of are there? Here are a few "gingers" or red heads who had us fooled...

Amy Adams. This is completely shocking, right? You know what's even more shocking? Amy was working in Hollywood as a blonde, staring in movies like The Wedding Date. It wasn't until she dyed her hair red that people started noticing her.




Christina Hendricks. This Mad Men star is known for her fiery tresses, but they are not her own, color that is. (and yes, that is her on the left)


Nicole Kidman. When we first met Nicole she was a redhead, which would lead you to believe that was her natural color. She's actually a blonde.




Alyson Hannigan, who's naturally brunette. Who saw this one coming?



Laura Prepon. The producers of That 70s Show asked her to dye it from brown to red.



Emma Stone. We recently saw Emma dye her red mane blonde, but as it turns out, she was going back to her original color.



Have you always wanted to see red... or something like it? We have some incredible specials with Jeffrey and Sherri! Book June 21-23 and get multi-dimensional color, highlight and haircut for just $220.00! See who you can fool.

Did you Know How Stretchy Hair Can Be...Plus tips to strengthen

Did you know hair is super stretchy and scientists have found that it can almost extend to one fifth of its length before it breaks. But when wet, it can stretch to almost double its length – so be extra careful with knots when wet!


Do you have weak hair? Stop envying those with thick, strong hair – you can make your hair a lot better looking with hair care products containing Omega 3 fatty acids. Often, weak hair can be restored with hair strenthening products thta add moisture and enhances the protein bonds that build the follicle. Vitamins and supplements can help also by ensuring the proper amino acids and minerals are in your system that promote strength and healthy growth.

Strong Things for Weak Hair

If you have thin, limp, droopy hair, you can use a volumizing shampoo which will help a lot. There are a range of them available on the market, which add body and bounce to weak, lifeless hair that could do with a ‘pick me up’. . .

It’s a good idea to use a scalp stimulating shampoo at least eight times a month that nudges away sebum that may be blocking the hair follicles and preventing thick hair growth. Make sure such a shampoo is a non-irritant, and won’t cause dryness.

There are some organic botanical extracts that can do a lot for weak hair. Herbal wonders such as jojoba and comfrey make removing knots easy (thus preventing damage to the weak hair) and prevent split ends from forming. Things like Amino acids too, are great for weak hair, giving it body and thickness, while keratin makes hair stronger. A great product to use with jojoba, amino acids and keratin is the be Clarked "quench" shampoo and conditioner. The shampoo, infused with jojoba and 10 other amazing botanicals ensure optimal shine and moisture, while the conditioner offers the strength and repairing qualities from complex protiens, including keratin.




More Good Stuff for Weak hair

There are various ingredients found in a good shampoo that do weak hair a lot of good. So look for these elements in the shampoo you’re planning to buy. For example, hydrolysed rice protein makes hair stronger and creates a full look, as it expands the hair itself to make the whole head of hair look thicker. The be Clarked "replenish" shampoo and conditioner offers hydrolysed rice protein plus other amazing proteins and herbal extracts. The conditioner actually conditions and strengthens hair like a deep conditioner treatment in just 60 seconds.




Moisturizing emollients such as aloe and argan oils get rid of unsightly split ends, while Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E make hair stronger and healthier, as well as making split ends vanish. The be Clarked "revive" shampoo and conditioner offer the superior moisturizing elements with argan oil and orange oil infused in the shampoo and the conditioner.



Causes of Weak Hair

Weak hair can be caused my a number of things like poor diet, hormones or chemical treatments. The hair becomes weak and starts to crack and will eventually fall out. You can remedy this by a slight change in diet, and staying away from harmful hair dyes and perms. As mentioned, hair is comprised of proteins that are chained together. These "chains" are called bonds. Bonds are created by amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

If...there is a deficiency in these nutrition requirements, or...if the bonds have been broken or damaged by straightening, heat, perms, coloring, relaxing, etc., or...if follicle moisture has been depleted by heat, harsh hair products, sun damage, chlorine, etc....then, the hair will become weak and damaged and prone to breakage, split-ends, frizz, and loss of styling control. When styling you can add a leave in protectand like be Clarked "straighten up". It acts as a leave in conditioner and straigtening blam in one, while adding shine, protecting from UV damage and heat damage.




How you strengthen hair is by supplementing your diet with hair vitamins, using a moisture shampoo, use a penetrating moisture conditioner, and periodically applying a deep conditioning moisture treatment. It is also helpful if you use a thermal hair protectant to help avoiding steaming when using a flat iron or curling iron.

Check back on our next blog for more beauty trends and tips!

Happy Father's Day- Interesting Facts about the Day Dedicated to Dad

Father's Day is one of the most awaited holidays in the world. It represents the day when we tell our dad how much he means to us and how lucky we are, to have him in our life. Though you don't need a special occasion to convey all this to him, telling it on Father's Day can make your daddy feel all the more special. While all of us know that Father's Day is a day dedicated to dads across the world, not many people are aware of the fact that it originated in the United States of America, that too owing to the efforts of Sonora Smart Dodd. Apart from this, there are many other interesting facts related to Father's Day, almost all of which have been listed in the lines below. Go through them and increase your knowledge about the special day!

Interesting Trivia On Father Day
In most of the countries around the world, like USA, UK, India, Canada, China, France, Greece, Japan and even Hong Kong, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.

The person credited for inventing the concept of Father's Day is Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd, an American whose father had raised his six children single-handedly.

The first American president to support the concept of Father's day was President Calvin Coolidge, who did so in 1924.

It was in the year 1966 that President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation that resulted in the declaration of the third Sunday of June as Father's Day.

The declaration of 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day was signed as a law, and made permanent, by President Richard Nixon, in the year 1972.

Father's Day originated in America. The first Father's Day celebration (unofficial) was held in Spokane, Washington, on 19th June 1910.

One of the most common gifts associated with Father's Day comprises of a necktie, followed by flowers.

Rose is the official flower for Father's Day. Wearing a red rose signifies a living father, while white one represents deceased father.

It has been claimed by Hallmark, the renowned greeting card maker, that Father's Day makes up the fifth-largest card-sending holiday in the world.

Greeting cards make up the number one gift item on the occasion of Father's Day.

It has been estimated that more than one-third of the cards sold on Father's Day are funny in nature.

A study came up with the fact that female shoppers spend approximately 50 percent more than men, while buying gifts for their dad.

It is believed that the word "Dad" dates back to as early as the sixteenth century.

In Australia, the first Sunday of September is observed as Father's Day, while Finnish people celebrate the festival on the second Sunday of November. In Thailand, 5th December is observed as Father's Day every year.