What's In Your Shampoo? Hair Health, And Hair Loss Prevention Using Natural Products

Author: Willie Jones

We do our shopping and purchase our hair care products and assume we are doing the right things for hair health. Through promotion and marketing we are led to believe that some of the products available today are things we just can't do without. But is that really true?

To find the answer you must first look at the structure of hair. Below the skin is the hair follicle, the sebaceous gland and blood vessels. The hair itself is made up of protein. When you brush your hair it causes the sebaceous gland to produce sebum. This oily substance coats and protects the hair from the elements. It also stimulates the blood vessels to provide the nourishment your hair needs. Brushing your hair and or massaging the scalp are beneficial to hair health.

With commercial products, most shampoos and conditioners contain harsh chemicals and synthetic products. In shampoos, that means it can over clean your hair and strip it of its precious oils. Now you need to condition it to replace the oils. It can harm the scalp and hair follicles. It is the same with laundry detergents. They are loaded with fillers and less actual soap so that they can sell you more detergent. It's a money making strategy that has worked so they will continue to do so.

Now if you are like most people, you've read the labels but don't have a clue as to what the ingredients really are and what their function is. Here it is in layman's terms:

1) Distereate and propylene glycol or glycol are petroleum based (crude oil). They are very cheap which is why they are widely used in the cosmetic industry.

2) Isopropyl alcohol is another very cheap solvent.

3) Propylparaben or Methylparen are preservatives that are synthetic. The human body typically does not understand synthetic, it understands organic.

4) Cetearyl alcohol is an emulsifier and it can be natural or synthetic. Synthetic is often used because it's cheaper and easier to produce.

These petrochemicals are absorbed through the skin, then down through the organs and tissues. Many believe that long term exposure to these toxins can cause permanent damage anywhere in the body, and yet, governments have sided with big industry to not require them to disclose what these products contain or what they really are. Instead we have big fancy names you can hardly pronounce let alone understand.

The solution? It's not as hard as you think. It's as close as you health food store or even your own fridge. Here are some tips:

1) Buy a natural liquid soap from the health food store. Also purchase some essential oils such as lavender (for all hair types), rosemary, clary sage, cedar wood, birch and peppermint (for hair loss) bergamot, rosewood, eucalyptus etc. Also purchase natural oils such as olive, jojoba, or avocado. Here's what to do; in a clean spray bottle, pour in about ½ a cup of distilled or spring water. Add 1 cup of liquid soap. Then take 2 tsp of your vegetable oil and add 10 to 20 drops of your chosen essential oils. It can be just one or several combined oils. Shake gently. There you have it. Simple as that! (Essential oils always need to be in a vegetable oil base because of its concentration). You should not need a cream rinse after that because oils will be replaced.

2) If you need deep conditioning, try saturating your hair in mayonnaise or warmed olive oil. Wrap tightly and cover with a shower cap and let rest on the hair for approximately 20 minutes, then rinse out. You can also take 2 egg yolks and whisk them until frothy, then add some warm water. Pour over hair and leave on for 2 minutes then rinse well.

3) It's a good idea to do a final rinse on your hair with something acidic such as cider vinegar, lemon juice, beer or even milk. Add any of these ingredients with some water to rinse your hair with to restore the alkaline/acid balance of your hair and scalp, and take off any residue you may have left on your hair.

There are many good natural recipes for healthy hair but these are a few things to get you started in the right direction. Experiment with different essential and vegetable oils to find what you like best. Natural, your body understands, so here's to a good hair day!

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

The Hair Care Revolution And Bangs

Author: Tony Scorch

With new products focusing on the health of your hair you have more control and can now work with many different hair styles. The new formulas are created to meet the needs of a fast paced society. These new products feature ingredients that restore moisture and nutrients that tend to make hair stronger and thicker in appearance. With time being a factor for many women, the need for these products continues to grow.

Consumers are opting for soft, touchable hairstyles that appear natural. Salon patrons are demanding a hair style that is easy to manage. The common tread in choosing a new hair style is the ease in caring for it. Cutting edge salons are creating styles by precise haircuts that are light, healthy, and flexible. With daily challenges to the hair from the elements, the emphasis is on innovative easy to care for styled hair.

To protect your hair from heat and chemicals including chlorine, one of the essentials is to opt for one of the new styles that are easy to keep up. Deep conditioning and frequent trims go a long way in protecting your crowning glory.

Hairstylists are finding that the look of natural hair is fashion friendly. Style and shape are the key elements in today's hairstyles. The introduction of most of these easy hairstyles came from the celebrities sporting the cuts. In high humidity you have to have styles that rebound well. The resurgence of bangs is the outgrowths of a new line up of different types of wash and wear hairstyles. There are dynamic ways that bangs change the impact of your hairstyle.

They offer versatility in a way that can not be matched. They increase the ways you can capture a new look in a matter of minutes. The different types of bangs vary depending on the texture of the hair. Going natural means hair that appears to be healthy and not sprayed into place. Manageability is a key focus and choppy bangs, short bangs, wispy bangs, and side bangs are a perfect example of simple easy to keep styling.

Haircuts with bangs are a big Hollywood trend. With the rise of hairstyles with bangs it means that finally everybody will find a different cut that will feature easy to care for trendy looks. Haircuts with bangs represent a new type of chic. Hairstyles with bangs work for the working women, the mature women, and the young women. For those interested in getting a short, medium or long hairdo bangs will work in a unique way with every hair length

Think of celebrities such as Cameron Diaz, Meg Ryan, and Paris Hilton and you can see the different looks that are attainable from a good haircut. For an exciting new style bangs can make the difference from ordinary to extraordinary. With the new choppy and asymmetrical styles you need to find a great hair stylist in one of the new upscale salons that now can be found in many locations.

Think Alyssa Milano and take a big step by changing your look with the help of a skilled stylist. There are many different techniques that can mold your hair into a trendy style.

The way to become aware of all the ways you can change your look is to locate a professional hair styles that is experienced in creating new looks with great skill.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

The Beauty Market And Hairstyles For Women

Author: Tony Scorch

There is a wellness-vanity connection that is understood by the consumer. For retailers in the beauty market that understand this, there is a payoff. One of the industries that get the message is the hair care and beauty salon stylist. Connecting looking good with feeling good is what the beauty industry is about. A stylist knows that to restore a youthful healthy quality to the head of hair boost the outlook of the client.

There are two valid trains of thoughts that include the beauty market as a product of fitness, nutrition and wellness. Beauty from within is a balance of wellness, confidence, and happiness. People value nature, purity, balance, and beauty. The vanity part of the equation is a given human trait. If you consider the size of the health and beauty market you appreciate the connection.

So what is it you are looking for when you chose a salon and hair stylist? A positive image of oneself is a function of a lot of factors. Not the least is ones physical appearance. The beneficial feature of a great new hairstyle is the way it makes you look and feel. When you do even an inside-out makeover you have to look in the mirror and see a radiant new you or at least an improved version of the old you. Combating signs of aging is usually one of the prime reasons that people continue to turn to hair salons for color, cut, and styling.

What you are looking for in a salon is a skilled stylist that has experience and works with some of the best products. The compatibility of the stylist and the client provides the backdrop to the emotional connection that is essential to the beauty parlor experience.

Stellar service is a must in a salon. Upscale salons are all about customer service and customer satisfaction. I have found that customers expect a stylist and salon that can deliver all the nuances of the salon experience. This type of salon is an important segment of the beauty industry. Remember the $600 plus haircut that made the news on the campaign trail?

Celebrities rely on stylist for their appeal as trend setters. I call this the power of packaging. We may get the impression that nature had more to do with the celebrity look than a combined effort of a great hairstylist and major commitment to working hard at being visually pleasing. For most people it is not practical or cost effective to market how we look. However, we are always to a certain degree marketing ourselves.

The single most cost effect way with the least effort is to have a trendy hairstyle that shows off a healthy head of hair.

There are quite a few attributes that beautiful hair needs. A hairstyle for women has to include these factors. One is to realize color that has a visual impact. The other is to have a modern style that is easy to keep. From elegant chic to fresh and perky hair can compliment our personalities and transform our appearance. The important factor is to nourish your hair with treatments that are common place in a good hair salon. Beautiful healthy looking fashionable hair is just a salon stop away. A hairstyle for women has to enhance the intrinsically linked beauty from within with the visual aesthetics of an appealing outward appearance.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Green Hair - the How to on Getting Rid of it !

Author: Kennedy

Getting Rid Of Green Hair

What causes my hair to turn green ?

There are 3 major causes of “green hair”

(1) swimming
(2) hair color
(3) hard (well) water

Continue reading to see the “why” and “solution” to the mystery behind green hair…

(1) Swimming – Your hair is like a sponge.. when you get into the pool and dip your head into the water it soaks up the chlorine and over time ends up giving your hair a green cast. If your hair is blond you will have green hair.

(a.) Solution
- if your hair is already green use Paul Mitchells shampoo 3… it removes chlorine and impurities keeping the hair healthy and moisturized

- to keep the green from coming back, wet your hair with fresh water and conditioner in your sink, shower or use a water bottle.. if you use a water bottle put conditioner in it… when using the sink or shower apply a little conditioner after wetting it.. this will put a barrier on the hair not allowing anything else to soak up

(2) Hair Color – from home color to over-processed hair, if you have blond hair do not color your hair without seeing your stylist.. if can turn green if you have over-processed hair.. it will be very dry, brittle and resemble cotton candy (NOT GOOD!)

(b.) Solution
- I always recommend seeing your stylist in these situations

(3) Hard (Well) Water – with the high amount of copper or nickel in your hard water, you’re bound to get copper or a green tint…

(c.) Solution
If you can, get a softener, if that’s not possible there are filters for the shower head at reasonable prices or purple/blue shampoo for blondes and grey (like shimmer lights at Sally’s)

Now that you have some information on what causes green hair and how to handle it, you can relax and know what to do the next time it happens to you or someone you know.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Emma Watson on Empire's Sexiest Movie Stars

Emma Watson made it on Empire Magazine's 100 Sexiest Movie Stars for 2007. She made the 26th spot, and was narrowly beaten by her co-star Dan Radcliffe at 23rd.

Hair Coloring Tips - Home Hair Coloring Tips

Author: Alien

Some hair professionals may try to discourage you from doing your own home hair color, saying that drugstore hair color products are harsh and the results can be uncertain. But the truth is that you can achieve excellent results and save a lot of money by coloring your hair at home as long as you know a few basics about choosing the right color and applying it correctly. The advantage of hair coloring is that a person can opt for a hair color that goes well with his or her looks and also according to the personal choice. Coloring the hair improves the confidence and looks of a person. Hair coloring gives an instant change to the person’s look. The changes can range from subtle, simple to the major and dramatic one. Hair color has an impact on the texture of the hair as it gives instant volume to fine and thin strands of hair and also affects the waves and curls in some cases.

Hair Color Mistakes

1. Applying dye to dirty, tangled hair.

2. Staining your skin or clothes.

3. Picking a color that does not fit with your natural hair color.

4. Dying eyebrows and eyelashes.

Hair coloring is not new to people as it has been carried out in the past too. Now there are various colors from blonde to blue made possible for both men and women. Hair dyes are made up of either bleaches or pigments or colors. The natural hair color of any person is due to the genetic or hereditary factors. Hair coloring can add fun, shine and drama to the hair style.

Permanent hair colors break the hair cuticle and deposit pigment in the hair shaft. Permanent color is said to lighten the hair as the hair is bleached and then the color is deposited in a single step process. Hair color is formed by the movement of the light rays either through absorption or reflection caused by artificial pigment which is added to the hair during the tinting process or by the natural pigment of hair. Permanent hair colors are used to cover gray hair to a large extent and it is also said to cause damage to the hair if they are used for a longer term and can even result in irreversible damage to the hair. Natural hair color is formed by the absorption or reflection of the light rays by the pigment called melanin. The amount, distribution and size of the melanin determine the hair color of the person.

Healthy Hair – Hair Coloring Tips

Shampoo that’s made for color treated hair keeps your hair color soft and natural looking. Regular shampoos can strip color and natural moisture from your hair.

Install a water filter for your shower or bath. Besides frequently being treated with chemicals, tap water coming through old plumbing contains undesirable elements like rust that leave your new hair color flat and dull looking.

Deep condition regularly – at least every two weeks – to restore moisture and shine to color treated hair. As roots grow out, a color enhancing conditioner will help your natural hair color blend with your color treated hair.

After shampooing, always blot your hair dry. Don’t rub hair dry or wrap it in a tight turban. When using a blow dryer, dry your head– not your hair. Over drying hair strips it of moisture and also results in static.

Caution while applying temporary dyes

Application of dye on chemically processed hair or the application of the wrong dye can result in odd colors. So it is usually recommended to choose a shade somewhat lighter than the natural shade of your hair.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

The Perfect Way To Get Perfect Pageant Hair

Author: Terry Parker

Regardless of the type of pageant that you will be competing in, one thing is always consistent in any contest where beauty is involved and that is well kept, healthy hair.

Few people know this, but your hair is actually part of your skin, and so a healthy lifestyle and plenty of water are as essential for your hair as they are for the rest of your body. Pageant judges know this, which is why they pay close attention to hair styles and appearances, and it is important to choose the style that is right for you. The good news is that salon style hair products, with their superior, salon quality hold, fresh fragrances, natural extracts, and amazing texture formulas, can help you achieve, and keep, a style that will not melt under those hot stage lights.

A sophisticated updo is ideal as many pageant hair styles can be adapted for prom, and vice-versa. A sophisticated full updo is centered on a small, tasteful clip or accessory, and hair can be wrapped tightly a chignon or more loosely. When wrapping, it is important to blow dry individual sections and use product to add texture and definition to each section. You can either gather the hair in the back upwards and wrap hair around from the side, or, for a unique updo take, try wrapping a section of your under hair across your forehead and securing on the side with bobby pins. Most importantly, be sure to use a firming gel for extra hold that lasts all day from your first stage walk to your tearful acceptance speech.

A Down Do with a braid is ideal if you have straight or wavy shoulder length hair. Why not showcase it in all of its healthy, shiny glory? Instead of an updo, try braiding a small section of hair at the top of the head, just where your part is, and securing it in the back with a little pearl clip. A unique, fun hair style like this one is sure to stand out to the judges, and make your competition green with envy. If this type of hairdo sounds too complicated do not worry it really is not. With a little practice in front of a mirror, anyone can create this style. If you are unsure about how to start, why not make an appointment with your stylist, who can show you the style, as well as recommend the products that are right for you.

The pretty pony tail, despite the fact it may sound basic, can dress it up easily by securing it at the middle with an accessory, and adding wispy, softly curled tendrils to the sides of your face. Be sure to use your favorite holding spray to keep your style in place.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

Thighs the limit for Foxy Megan

MEGAN FOX had to share the limelight with a 16-foot yellow robot at the Tokyo premiere of Transformers 2 last night.

But she still made sure all eyes were on her with a beautiful Donna Karan purple dress, slashed to the thigh to reveal her perfect pins.

Thousands of Japanese fans turned out to catch a glimpse of Megan and co-stars SHIA LaBEOUF, RAMON RODRIQUEZ and JOSH DUHAMEL, who chatted and signed autographs on the red carpet.

And they gasped in amazement as a parked Camaro car on the red carpet suddenly turned into the yellow robot in a puff of smoke.

Transformed ... Megan Fox, Michael Bay, Shia LaBeouf, Ramon Rodriguez, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and Isabel Lucas

GETTY

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, directed by MICHAEL BAY, sees Megan and Shia return to the roles as teenage couple Sam Witwicky and Mikaela Banes, who join forces with the Autobots to save the world from their evil robot enemies, the Decepticons.

source: www.thesun.co.uk

Alicia Keys

Half African-American, half Italian soul musician Alicia Keys exploded onto the music world with her 2001 debut album, Songs in a Minor. With a pop, gospel, R&B and soul blend, the album, along with its hit single Falling, went platinum five times. Writing songs since she was 14 years old, Alicia Keys also worked on several movie soundtracks, one of which was Men in Black (1997).

On February 6, 2005, Alicia Keys will perform the song America the Beautiful at the Super Bowl, which is to be held in Jacksonville, Florida. Made popular by such musicians as Vikki Carr and Alicia Keys will be accompanied by 150 children from the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.

"I'm very excited to be playing at the Super Bowl for the first time, especially because I will be singing a song made famous by an artist I admire, miss and respect." Alicia Keys

On a different note, Alicia Keys makes reference to a phone number in her love song, Diary. When fans called the number a Georgia man named J.D. Turner got the calls as he had the same number.

As a humanitarian, Alicia Keys has paid much attention to AIDS pandemic. Alicia and Sean Combs performed on MTV's Saturday concert (2002), which was part of World Aids Day special program. She also starred in the Urban AIDS promotion held in Toronto's Ricoh Coliseum in 2004.

On February 3, 2005, Alicia Keys will be featured in live performances with artists such as Good Charlotte, Kelly Clarkson, Hoobastank and Simple Plan in an effort to support the MTV Asia Aid promotion.

Emma Watson Shows Off Her Grown-Up Style

If there was any question as to whether or not Emma Watson was all grown up, her photo shoot in the January issue of InStyle UK should answer it. The Harry Potter star looks glamorous in her '50s-inspired outfits, and we love that she kept it classy and covered up, unlike some other starlets. In the article, Emma talks about her projects, growing up, and her sense of style.

Emma also talks about her active social life (currently revolving around 18th birthday parties) and her upcoming role in Ballet Shoes. We love watching Emma making her transformation from cute little girl to fashionista, so hopefully she'll stick around in the spotlight even after the Harry Potter franchise finally comes to an end.

ALICIA KEYS STILL TURNING ON THE U.S. POP CHARTS

No body can end ALICIA KEYS' run at the top of the U.S. pop charts - the R+B star has just claimed a third week at number one. The singer's No One has held off a charge from Kiss Kiss by Chris Brown, which jumps up a spot to two on the new Billboard countdown. Britney Spears scores the fastest growing digital song with Piece Of Me, which jumps up from 63 to 47 and another Chris Brown track, With You, is the top debut at number 72. Snoop Dogg's Sensual Seduction debuts at 76, extending the rapper's streak of having at least one song chart per year to 10.