Hair Myths

For the sake of having lustrous, beautiful hair, women search far and wide, trying out new products, following trends, doing their hair in different styles according to fashion. It is always said that a woman’s hair is her crowning glory, and many women do take it seriously. Unfortunately, sometimes we women get to listen to well-meaning advice from our girl-friends, advice which is at times completely baseless or unproven. These hair myths, so to speak, sometimes only lead to the eventual damage of the hair.

There are many hair myths floating out there, some of which are followed religiously by women totally unaware of the validity or invalidity of these myths. Sad to say, if curiosity can kill a cat, so can ignorance. Hair myths are like that; if they are followed blindly, they can lead to hair damage.

There are a number of hair myths out there and you may already know some of them. Here are some common hair myths:

Myth 1: Shampooing Daily Dries the Hair

Some women believe that shampooing every day dries the hair out. This is not true. What could dry the hair out would be the shampoo that is being used, so it is important to choose a shampoo that is suitable for the hair type – either for oily hair, dry hair or normal/combination hair. Oily hair needs to be washed everyday to get the excess oil out. However, dry hair need not be given the same treatment. Washing the hair with lukewarm water and then applying a moisturizing conditioner is enough. If daily washing of dry hair is necessary, it is important to use a mild shampoo that is made specifically for dry hair.

Myth 2: Trimming Leads to Faster Hair Growth

The purpose of trimming is to get the dry and scraggly parts and the split ends out of the hair, therefore making it look healthier and thicker. But trimming regularly does not make the hair grow longer faster; rather it is our genes and our diet that determine the rate of the growth of our hair. Some types of hair just grow slower than others. However, to encourage faster hair growth, a diet rich in protein is recommended.

Myth 3: Hair Develops “Product Immunity” With Regular Use

Some women regularly change their hair care products and rotate brands because they believe that their hair develops product immunity or product exhaustion after prolonged use – the product stops becoming as effective as it was before. This is obviously a myth. Instead of the so-called product immunity, what is happening is that the product builds up on the hair and needs to be washed off. The solution to this, rather than rotating hair care products, is to occasionally wash the hair with a clarifying shampoo to get rid of the product build up.

Myth 4: Brushing Causes Hair Loss

Brushing the hair stimulates the hair follicles to produce more oil. It does cause friction against the hair and scalp so it is important to do it gently and to use a brush of good quality. Just yanking away at the hair causes hair breakage and split ends, rather than actual hair loss.

As in anything, not everything about hair care should be believed. Sometimes, what seems like good advice is only a hair care myth. Be informed and use your best judgment.

Ponytail Styles

 

Fun and flirty or professional and sophisticated, the ponytail is a timeless style appropriate for just about any occasion or event. Ponytails look absolutely adorable when worn by young girls and tots, but they also look chic and classy on mature women.

Beyond the basics of ponytails, dozens of variations and fashionable styles await. Wearing two ponytails aka: pigtails  is a style that dates way back to our youth. Nowadays, creative hairstylists and inventive product masterminds have developed fancy and interesting alternatives to the previously two-story style.

Here are a few styles to get you started on modernizing and accessorizing your ponytail. Just remember, you are only limited by your creativity!

Ponytail Style 1: A Simple Yet Elegant Up-do Ponytail

Meredith Boyd, founder of Mere Cosmetics (www.merecosmetics.com), proposes a modernized up-do sans curls. It is easy to create and looks great for any occasion.

To create Boyds style, follow these steps:

• Blow dry hair straight with a paddle brush and use a quarter-sized dollop of straightening balm like �Redken Straight 05� to prevent curls and frizz while also keeping hair smooth.
• Part: Make a deep part to one side.
• Sweep front of hair to one side and secure with a bobby pin if needed.
• Spray the front of your hair with hairspray to hold.
• Gather all of your hair back into a mid to low ponytail.
• Separate a small section of hair from the back of the ponytail and wrap it around the hair band.
• Wrap the hair around the band a few times with one hand, and with the other hand slip your finger through one loop of the band at the bottom in the back.
• Tuck the ends of hair through so it's secure.
• That's it! Now spray all over for hold.

An extra tip is to always use hair bands the same hue as your hair, Boyd says. Appropriate for work or an evening out for a formal event!

Ponytail Style 2: The Perfect Ponytail

Martha Creed, stylist of Fantastic Sams, recommends a sleek ponytail accented by your favorite headband. To create her refined look, follow these steps while hair is still damp:

• Apply a styling glaze while hair is damp.
• Brush hair back into a ponytail with a bristle brush.
• Twist the ponytail two to three times to give it holding power on a damp head.
• Blow dry hair. As your hair dries, the twisting of the pony will add some volume, Creed says. Spray hairspray in hands so it doesn't get that old fashioned hair look. Mix with spray shine for a shiny hold.
• Accessorize with a headband in any complementing color.

Ponytail Style 3: Ponytails as a Convertible Fashion

Homer Prefontaine, owner and designer of Salon Prefontaine, says, Do it Yourself Hairdos are easier than you think. One thing to keep in mind when you're doing your own hair is to not try and make every hair perfect.

Prefontaines three top styles for ponytails are appropriate for many occasions, but they range from elegant to playful in look and feel so you can match them to your own event or occasion.

Depending on the event, you can either slick it back for an elegant and chic appearance, or you can tease it a little at the top and loosely pin it back for a soft and playful style, he explains. Another option is pulling your hair back from ear to ear into a tight ponytail and leaving the rest down for a sleek, yet soft look.

The current style for ponytails is wearing them low rather than high on the head.

Ponytails are great as a last-minute fashion, as a fallback plan for a bad hair day, as a functional athletic hairstyle, or as a fun and flirty or elegant and sophisticated style. Just like blue jeans and t-shirts, ponytails are comfortable and here to stay!

Hair care tips and secrets

Here are some tips and secrets to be the perfect diva that you can try at home, without spending a fortune in the beauty parlors and wandering from beauty clinics and saloons. Remember, they are not to be passed on to your friends:

• The hot tip to make your hair smell aromatic is to prepare your own hair perfume at home. Mix 6 tablespoons of powdered charcoal, 5 tablespoons of powdered myrrh and 1 tablespoon of powdered benzoin together and sieve it thoroughly. Add 2-3 drops of bergamot oil and 2-3 drops of sandalwood oil, 1 tablespoon of potassium nitrate and mucilage of tragacanth to the mixture until it acquires the consistency of a stiff paste. Heat the mixture over a water bath. Shape it into little cones and dry them. Whenever you wash your hair, light one of the cones while your hair is still damp and let them soak the smell of the cone.
• A perfect way to get rid of dry, brittle, dull hair is to massage mayonnaise into your hair thoroughly, starting from the roots to the hair ends. Then pile your hair on top of your head and cover them fully with plastic food wrap. Wrap the pre-heated towel around it and keep it on for 10 minutes. This will help in deep-conditioning your hair. Now, replace the towel with another pre-heated towel and leave it on for 10 minutes too. Now remove all the wraps and shampoo your hair. This cholesterol treatment once a month for your hair is a boon that will keep it soft and shiny.
• If you don't have time to shampoo your oily hair daily, you can try this out. Pour some cornstarch into a dish and dip a clean, large blush brush into it. Brush your scalp and hair roots thoroughly with the cornstarch and leave it on for 10 minutes to soak off the oil. Then brush away the cornstarch flakes, ridding your hair with all that unwanted greasiness.
• Make a mixture by adding ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 gallon of distilled water and store it in the refrigerator. Once a fortnight, shampoo and rinse your hair thoroughly and then pour 2 cups of the mixture over the scalp and let it saturate the hair. Rinse your hair with cold water to get rid of all the drab of hair styling products.
• A possible cure for your impossible dandruff is vinegar. Massage it into your scalp and leave it to dry for a few minutes. Wash the hair thoroughly and repeat the process daily. Dandruff usually disappears within a few days.
• The ancient Mayan women used avocados to keep their skin and hair healthy. Here is their infallible hair mask that you can use too - Mix ½ ripe avocado, 1 tbsp. olive oil, ½ small banana and 1 egg yolk together and massage it into your hair. Cover it with a plastic wrap and leave it on for one hour. Rinse the mask with warm water and then shampoo your hair thoroughly.
• Say goodbye to your dandruff by dissolving 2 aspirins in your dandruff shampoo before washing your hair with it. Moisturize your hair with a good conditioner later.
• Powder your greasy hair by putting it a little at the root of your hair before straying. For very oily hair, powder your hair heavily and keep it on for 15 minutes. Then wash the hair completely and condition lightly before making the desired style.
• To bleach your hair naturally or just lighten their color, rub lemon juice on them and wander out for a walk in natural sunlight.

Home Remedies For Oily Hair

No one on earth is fully happy with his/her appearance and beauty. When it comes to hair people often complain that their hair is too wavy, too straight, too thin, too brittle, or some strange combination of those factors. Hair care and fashioning products are sold out like hot bread in shops. By using unproven chemicals on hair people sometimes worsen the crisis.

After dandruff, the main complaint of most teenagers is oily, greasy, or stringy hair. Everyone likes to have shiny, bouncy hair and this may seem a difficult task with oily hair. Stress, hormonal activities like attaining puberty or childbirth, thyroid problems and eating too much fatty food and chocolates are what usually cause oily hair. Having oily hair can seem like a curse to those who have to endure it. Scalp produces oil to keep the hair healthy and also protects it from elements. But when it is produced a bit extra your hair may look oily and lifeless. There are remedies for oily hair and here are a few tips on how to manage oily hair.

 

Oily hair needs to be washed more often but don't scrub too hard while washing. And don't pile hair on the head while shampooing. It causes tangling, leading to further breakage. You can add lemon to the final rinse for a great shine. You need to be careful about washing hair regularly, though you could condition it just twice a month. Use a cleaning shampoo to wash your hair and to scrub off the oil build up. Use a mild shampoo and scrub lightly. While applying conditioner, do not apply to the roots only apply in the middle or to the ends. Reduce the oil intake in your diet. Avoid oily food. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid drugs, alcohol and oils.

Using conditioners will help you to reduce the oil on your hair. Conditioners coat the hair with a lubricant or synthetic that replaces the stripped out sebum. Some conditioners bond to the hair, helping to smooth the cuticle and restore sheen to the hair. After washing the hair dry it gently, by blotting and squeezing, not wringing or rubbing. Never brush wet hair. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb.

Keep oily hair clean. That means shampooing every day at least once. Use a good cleansing shampoo on oily hair. A mild finishing rinse made for oily hair will help with combing. Give attention to the roots. It is your scalp that is oily, not your hair. Rinsing out the suds will be enough to clean your hair. After shampooing, apply a light conditioner from mid shaft to the ends. Oily hair is typically fine hair; therefore, avoid silicone, heavy pomades and creams as well as the masks and the serums. Use an airy, valorizing mousse, applying it at the hair roots to create volume.
Comb your hair regularly. Combing helps to spread the natural oils through hair, making it look shinier and healthier. Don't wash you hair in soaps or harsh shampoos. They are highly alkaline and will upset your hair's natural pH balance. Leave your hair untied for at least four hours a day. This eases the pressure on your scalp and gets blood circulation back.