Sunday, December 12, 2010

A Dry Skin Remedy For Bath

You thought that dealing with a dry skin is a big problem that you have to face regularly, you can't be more wrong. Perhaps you are making some skin care crimes that have led you to believe that having a dry skin and dealing with it is a cumbersome affair.

Irrespective of the location or the season, you can use some easy solutions to deal with your dry skin sans problem. Remember that these steps are easy to follow. Once you incorporate these suggestions into your every day routine, a big difference will be noticeable in your skin. Your skin will not only become better but will also have a healthy glow.

Pursue these 5 best remedies for your dry skin care and see how effective they are:

  1. Keep an eye on the water's temperature Perhaps you enjoy a lot when you take a hot bath. Though it may have an extremely relaxing effect, you will do well to know that it is not beneficial for your skin.
  2. Hot water will wipe out the oils and moisture from your skin. This in turn will make your skin dry, scaly and burnt.
  3. Though you may not like this advice, it is suggested that you have a warm water bath instead of a hot water bath.
  4. Remember not to extend your period of bath over 15 minutes. If you are taking a shower, the time of bath should be even lesser.
  5. Once you have taken the bath, you will not need to see into the mirror to find out how dry your skin has become. Rather, you will feel that the dryness of your skin has decreased if you keep note of the temperature of water and the time period of your bath.

An additional suggestion: Use cool water to wash your hair as hot water will make it dry and frizzy.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Winter Skin Care Tips

If you don't want to turn gray, as the outside world turns gray with the onset of winter, you need to pamper your skin to keep it alive and young. Here's how you can prevent it from becoming uncomfortable and itchy with dryness.

Because skin dryness is the basic problem quite obviously hydrating it is the solution. While women talk about hydrating the skin from outside, let me first emphasize that it is more important to keep your skin hydrated from inside. And for that you must drink a lot of water and other fluids; however carbonated beverages and soda don't count. Another thing, add a bit of flax seed oil to your daily diet, I know it's not tasty, but it has some wonderful effect on your dry skin while also helping you fight heart diseases.

You know the heating is going to be on all the time throughout winter which will drain most of the moisture from your skin while also keeping the air indoors somewhat dry. So install a humidified system in your house and half your problem of dry skin will get solved.

Now let's begin with skin care by first of all using a good face scrub for your face. You need to exfoliate the dead skin cells and open up the blocked pores of your skin. This will not just leave your skin feeling fresh but will also improve the absorption of moisturizer to combat dry skin problem. Ideally you need to follow this cleansing routine at least once a week. With your skin clean and clear, it's time to use some oil based moisturizer to moisturize your skin.

People with excessively oily skin can go in for the oil free versions of moisturizers, but must never shy away from using moisturizer all through the winters. And when you need to step out in the sun, sunscreen is a must and look for one which has an SPF count of more than 15. Also available in the market are moisturizing sunscreen lotions which can save you the trouble of applying two things to your face one after the other.

If you want your body skin to remain moisturized, here is a small secret, just add about 1tbsp. of body oil to a jug of warm water and pour it over your body just before stepping out of the shower. If that is done on a daily basis, there will be no need for you to spend time on rubbing body lotion all over your body.

Different Hair Styles for Women

Choosing a hairstyle depends on various factors. An important factor is the shape of your face. And of course your own unique personality and your life style is also a major element. If you wash, condition and style your hair every morning, a short cut may be best for you. If you have plenty of time for hair care you may prefer to wear your hair long. The distribution, quantity and texture of your hair, the curliness or straightness and your height are the other important factors for choosing a hair style.

And, as far as beauty is concerned, hair care is most important for a man. A man's personality is judged not only by the way he carries himself but also by the hairstyles he sports. The hair-styles of Bollywood and Hollywood heroes are in demand at hair saloons. Even though hairstyles have constantly changed, Bollywood celebrities such as Abhishekh Bachchan, Amir Khan, Saif Ali Khan etc have greatly influenced Indian men to think differently.

If you wish to change your hairstyle, visit a good and experienced hairstylist who would give you a trendy haircut. And when going about with the styling of hair, you have to consider the most important factor is, the shape or structure of the face.

Men, like women, can have the following face shapes.

Different hairstyles to suit the shape of your face

Round face

  • Women

A round face will look best with hairstyles that add angles and helps conceal broad, round cheeks. For persons who have short hair, it is better to have a cut with most of the hair on top and less on sides. For long hair, an hairstyle with curls or waves surrounding the face will be better.

  • Men

Men with round faces should keep short hairstyles or wispy cut that sweep back away from the face. Use a product to add a little height to your hairstyle.

Square face

  • Women

A square jaw and brow are best softened by a curly or wavy hair style that rounds off the angles of your face. Curls or waves worn forward on the outer edges of your face from your forehead will be more suited for a square face.

  • Men

Square face shapes men should keep any styles that is cleanly cut around the ears and mirrors your square face. A short spiky hair cut as well as any sleek style is good for a square face shape.

An oval face

  • Women

An oval shaped face is generally recognized as the ideal face shape by hair experts. This can be enhanced by a variety of simple hairstyles from long hairstyles to medium hairstyles to short hairstyles. Your hairstyle will be most pleasing, if you wear it straight or slightly wavy. Short or long styles will look best when brushed or held back from your face.

According to the activities that you enjoy you may wish to wear your hair shorter instead of pulling it back to enjoy participating in sports or keeping your hair out of the way for most activities. To get an example of celebrities with oval shape faces and the variety of hairstyles that look great on them, take a look at Isha Deol, Madhuri Dixit, Urmila Matonkar etc.

  • Men

A classic oval shaped face looks great with all styles. Try changing the part. However a longer hair styles with a few graduated layers around the face gives a strong masculine signature.

Triangular face

  • Women

It's a rare type. The best hairstyle for this shape face are those worn away from your face at your forehead and temples and softly waved or curled around the jaws or those worn full at your temples, with straight or waved bangs across the width of your forehead.

  • Men

Men should try hair cropped close to head. The hair should be layered all around and tapered in back and at the sides.

Diamond face

Diamond face is widest at the cheekbones, has narrow forehead and jaw line of approximately equal width.

  • Women

Diamond shaped face women can try almost all variety hairstyles but should avoid hairstyle that hides the prominent features of the face.

  • Men

Fill out the face at the temples and chin and keep hair close to the head at the widest points. Curl and fullness at the chin area and just above the temples are necessary to round out the look. Avoid styles that mirror the diamond shape.

Heart-shaped

Heart shaped face is wide at the temples and hairline and a narrow chin.

  • Women

Heart -shaped face women should choose a style that takes the emphasis off both areas. Try a short hairstyle that is wedged or or tapered at the neck or a long hair style. Avoid short hairstyles.

What are Hair Accessories and How Can They Improve My Look?

Hair accessories, or "hair toys", come in all shapes and sizes. Simply defined, a hair toy is any item you put in your hair to help with styling or give that "special touch" to your 'do.

These items are as widely varied as the things you can do with them, so let's start with your hair length and discuss some of the most popular items for each. Yes, there is so much more out there than just hair ties!

Short Hair Accessories

Short hair has become increasingly popular in both men and women; it's possibly the least versatile length but still has so many styling options. Bobby pins, small clips and headbands all work great for helping the hair keep its shape, adding a little bit of color and maybe a twist or two, and great for people who are growing their hair out and have reached an "awkward phase" where the hair always wants to be in the way. Try clips for short corn rows or French twists or throw in some pin curls with a few unobtrusive bobby pins for a style that stays put and looks great. Bandannas and head scarves are back in style and make colorful solutions to hair that just wants to stick up all over the place.

Medium Hair Accessories

Medium hair (shoulder length to mid-back) opens up all sorts of new possibilities for hair accessories. You can try a decorated hair tie to add a personal touch to a basic ponytail, hair combs for effortless half-ups, hair sticks and hair forks for easy buns, barrettes in endless varieties, and hair-friendly slide barrettes for half-ups or holding your entire head of hair. Hair claws are easy-to-use items that will pin your hair up off your neck and stay secure through a vigorous work day.

Long Hair Accessories

Long hair takes a lot of work, so many people opt for lower-maintenance looks; however, if you're one of the dedicated "long hairs" there is no end to styles you can achieve. Many hair toys available in department stores won't work for very long or thick hair except for half-ups, but there are a ton of items you can buy or make to keep your hair protected and looking gorgeous.

Adding a little bit of color and maybe a twist or two is great for people growing out their hair

In addition to all the suggestions for medium-length hair, there are a number of accessories that are expressly for or work especially well on long hair. Brand-name Ficcarres are high-quality clips that can hold an entire bun for all lengths and thicknesses of hair in a wide array of gorgeous colors.

Bun wraps such as the increasingly-popular Hairagami clip or a simple piece of sturdy wire with a soft fabric cover are wonderful for very fast, secure and effortless buns. Ladies, go for a Renaissance look with a classic braided crown accented with ribbons, clips, or pretty bobby pins. Gentlemen, try a lace-up leather or faux leather ponytail cuff that is extremely gentle on the hair and will stay in through anything.

Your hair is one of the top features people notice about you; with the right hair accessories you can make your styles just as unique as you are. Whether you are male or female and have chin-length or knee-length hair there is an astounding selection of hair toys available for your styling experiments.


What are the Best Shampoos and Conditioners?

What are the best shampoos and conditioners to use on my hair? Since every head of hair is different, there is no definitive answer to this important hair care question. However, here are a few tips to help you find the products that work best for your unique tresses.

First, be aware that though your hair may look healthy, it may actually be heavily damaged. Many shampoos and conditioners, especially cheaper ones, have many silicone-based ingredients. Check the ingredients list for the products you use; any ingredient ending in "cone" is silicone-based. These ingredients are not necessarily bad for the hair, but they are made to coat the hair shaft to make it smooth and appear shiny which can mask underlying damage.

If silicone-based ingredients, or "-cones", build up on the hair they can actually lock moisture away from the hair shaft. Insufficient moisture makes hair brittle, causing split ends and breakage. To avoid this, if you habitually use -cones you will need to use a diluted vinegar rinse every 1-3 weeks to remove excess silicone.

Most people who use -cones have no idea what condition their hair is really in. The first step in beginning a hair-healthy regime is to find shampoos and conditioners that contain no -cones; these are usually a little more expensive and often marketed as "salon quality", but they are certainly worth the price and eventually less product will need to be used.

At first your hair may be very difficult to manage without -cones and may be dull and easily tangled. This is the true condition of your hair. By observing -cone-free hair you can begin identifying your hair's needs, then you can decide what type of care is needed based on those observations. Bear in mind that going without -cones indefinitely is not for everyone; I suggest you go without them for at least two months to give your hair a chance to recover, then decide if you prefer -cones or not.

If your hair is dry and brittle you certainly need moisture, but don't forget the protein too. The best products are those that contain natural essential oils such as jojoba, coconut or hemp seed oil. These are all excellent moisturizers and closely mimic your hair's natural oils.

Believe it or not, many shampoos contain cleansing ingredients that irritate the skin and are very harsh on the hair.

Every good shampoo or conditioner must have ingredients that add protein to your hair as well. Again, natural is the best, and some great protein-adding ingredients are honey, wheat protein and soy protein. If you're not sure what function an ingredient is meant to perform there are many online resources to help.

Believe it or not, many shampoos contain cleansing ingredients that irritate the skin and are very harsh on the hair. The best shampoos contain glycerin, a moisturizer that occurs naturally during the saponification process. Manufacturers of cheaper hair care products separate the natural glycerin out of the product and replace it with sodium laureth sulfate or, even worse, sodium lauryl sulfate. Both of these products are known to be skin irritants and can be a primary cause of an oily, flaky or itchy scalp.

There are so many choices for your hair care products that the task of finding the right ones can seem daunting, but it's definitely worth the effort.

Vitamins and Dietary Supplements For Healthy Hair

As hair thins or gets damaged by environmental elements, we start looking for ways to correct the problems. Most people know at least some about hair care products meant to improve their hair in various ways.

But what about dietary supplements?

These are some of the most effective hair care products because they ensure the hair has everything it needs to form well, and it has the added plus of benefiting your entire body instead of just your hair.

First, just about every vitamin and trace mineral the body needs helps out the hair in some way. You guessed it, this means the first step to healthy hair care is to take a good multi-vitamin to make sure your body is getting all the basics it needs. Be aware that some cheaper brands of vitamins are known to have difficulty digesting properly, and some cheaper gel caps don't dissolve fast enough. Once you're taking that multi-vitamin, there are a few extra supplements you can take that are good for your hair.

Biotin is a major component of hair growth and strength. It is recommended that you take at least 2,500mcg of biotin every day if you're looking to improve your hair, and most multi-vitamins do not contain enough. Luckily, biotin is also sold in pill form by itself or in supplements such as "Hair, Skin and Nails". It is estimated that the average diet provides about 40mcg per day.

It's controversial whether MSM truly has any use as a dietary supplement, though many people swear by it for increasing the growth phase of your hair and decreasing shedding. Many people who take MSM supplements see a marked decrease in shedding, though it is unknown if it is actually because of the MSM or if the claim to lengthen the growth phase is accurate.

Other Supplements

Sulphur and cysteine are required for good hair structure and contribute most of the hair's strength. Cysteine is a protein that comprises much of the hair shaft when it bonds with sulphur. Without a good balance of both of these your hair will be very brittle and unhealthy, so make sure that either your multivitamin has them both or you find additional supplements.

Copper is the base of many pigments in the skin and hair. Only bare traces of copper are needed in the diet, but if there is a deficiency of copper it can result in dull, colorless hair.

Flax seed oil and fish oil are both excellent sources of essential fatty acids which will help promote healthy sebum production. Without enough sebum there is nothing to protect your hair from damage or replenish stripped oils. Either one of these can be used, though many prefer flax seed because of the unfortunate aftertaste that comes from some brands of fish oil capsules. These supplements have the added side effect of preventing dry eyes and "cotton mouth".

In addition, any vitamins that promote cell reproduction, protein metabolism, gland function, digestion and so on directly or indirectly influence your hair. If your hair is not healthy, it will lack the color, shine and strength that it could have with just a little more care to your overall health.

The Importance Of Hair Moisture

Have you seen a strand of hair that got too close to a flame? It's light-colored, dull, hangs in a weird half-curled shape and breaks at the slightest touch. This is hair without any moisture. To understand this reaction, we first need to understand how a strand of hair is constructed.

What is Hair?

Each strand of hair is comprised of an inner layer, or cortex, that determines the color and texture of the hair. An outer layer, called the cuticle, protects the cortex. These structures may sound simple, but they're formed out of many layers and coils of proteins, namely keratin. The cuticle is not a solid sheath, but rather formed of scales that slide over each other and give hair its flexibility. Healthy hair is made up of about 88% protein, 12% water. If there is a not a proper balance between moisture and protein, the hair will not be healthy and will become difficult to manage.

The Importance of Protein

Too little protein in the equation will cause hair to stretch easily, thinning the individual strand, without giving the hair enough structure to pull itself back into shape. Too little moisture and the cuticle gets dried out, giving your hair a dull, dead look (even course, curly hair should have a bit of velvety sheen) and making it brittle. Protein will keep the hair strong, but if there's not enough moisture in it for elasticity it will break very easily. In addition, the edges of the "scales" on the cuticle can be damaged if they are not able to slide properly, making the hair shaft rough so it tangles easier. Dried hairs are thin, lightweight and lack vibrant color.

What does this mean for your hair?

If you have hair that lacks shine, is frizzy or tangles way too easily you may have a moisture problem. Split ends, hair that you just can't seem to grow past a short length, or hair that breaks from combing or everyday wear caused by rubbing against seats, clothes, etc. may also have too little moisture.

Moisture is absolutely vital to your hair's health. Oily or greasy hair is not automatically well-moisturized. Excess oils are generally caused by scalp irritants such as hair care products or environmental factors (i.e. smoke, smog); the hair may not be getting the moisture it needs.

Dried hairs are thin, lightweight and lack vibrant color.

Naturally Moisturize Your Hair

There are many commercial hair products on the market geared toward helping you get the right moisture into your hair, but you may have to try a few before you find the one that will work for your hair type and the level of moisture you need. You can also add oils to your hair. Sebum is designed to coat each individual hair, lock moisture in, protect the hair from dirt and other damaging substances, and to allow the cuticle scales to slide smoothly. Adding oils such as jojoba or extra virgin olive oil can help protect hairs that have the sebum regularly shampooed off of them.

Many hair care products such as cheaper shampoos and conditioners contain ingredients that coat the hair and can lock moisture away from the individual strands, so take care to select quality products that will truly help the hair rather than just make it look healthy. The good news is, moisture imbalances are not difficult to fix once they're identified and can make all the difference in the look and texture of your hair.

Identifying Your Hair Type

Everyone's hair reacts differently to different products and environment, but hair of the same type generally responds in similar ways. There are two systems of classification; Andre Walker's classification system and Fia's Hair Typing System.

Walker's system is geared specifically toward African-descended hair types, so this is based on finding your hair type using Fia's Hair Typing System because it applies to everyone who has hair regardless of heritage. There are three main classifiers for hair type that tell the amount of wave or curl, the thickness of each individual strand, and the thickness of all the hair put together. If you find someone who matches you on all these classifiers, you've found a valuable "hair twin" whose experiences can help you determine how your hair will respond to various elements.

The First Hair Type Classifier

The first classifier determines how much body wave or curl your hair has. To determine this, take a shower and then allow your hair to air dry flat (not in a towel or styled in any way). Once dry, take a close look at your hair. Is it absolutely flat and straight? You're a 1a. If there's a little bit of body to it but no discernible wave, 1b; two or three slight waves but still straight overall, 1c; has some loose waves, 2a; fairly distinct waves, 2b; very distinct waves, possibly with a few spiral curls, 2c; lots of loose spiral curls, 3a; tighter, bouncy curls, 3b; really tight spiral curls all over, 3c; tight S-curls, 4a; really tight S-curls falling in odd, zigzag patterns, 4b.


Now you know the first part of your hair type. Some people fall between the classifying categories and that's fine, it just means that your hair will be defined by both categories that describe it. For instance, if you have some body to your hair but only one visible wave, you're a 1b/1c. The third classifier is the only one that can not have split categories.

The Second Hair Type Classifier

The second classifier denotes the thickness of individual strands of your hair. Take a single strand of your hair, make sure it's clean (if it's been through a brush or comb it might not be) or the type may be skewed. Fine hair is barely visible if you hold it in front of your eyes, hardly shows up against a contrasting background and can barely be felt if you roll it between two fingers. Medium hair is easily visible, easily felt between the fingers, but still feels soft...it will feel similar to cotton thread when you roll it. Course hair is thicker, much easier to see against a background and may feel wiry but rarely ever slippery.

The Final Hair Type Classifier

The third and final classifier determines the overall thickness of your entire head of hair. This one is very difficult to measure if your hair is too short to gather into a ponytail, though a guess can be made by how thick your hair is against the scalp. If it's long enough, gather all your hair into a ponytail and measure around the circumference. Thin hair, or i, measures less than two inches around. Normal hair, ii, measures between two and four inches. Thick hair, iii, is anything measuring over four inches around.

Take all the classifiers together, and you have your hair type. It will look something like 1c/F/iii (substituting your own categories) when you're finished. You can now compare your hair to others using hair type as a reference; some websites also sell hair products based on hair type, so keep this as a handy reference so you can always know what kind of hair is being referred to.

Shawls


Thursday, December 9, 2010

Emboridery Neck Design


Oxford Winter Collection


Mobile Pouches


Curly Hair Style

It's true, curly hair can sometimes need a bit more care and attention than straight hair to keep it looking its best.Not every stylist knows how to cut curly hair. Ask various salons if they have someone who specializes in curly haircuts. Curly hair needs to be cut wet so you can see the natural shape.Give your naturally wavy hair more defined curls. Take small sections of your hair while its damp, and roll them up into little balls.Whether you have natural curls or got them in the salon, you'll need to know the right way to care for them. Most straight-haired girls would love to have a head full of curls. At these times women are changing from their flat-irons and opting for a hair diffuser and making the most of beautiful natural curly hair
Hair cut & face look:
Choosing the right hair cut for your face is very important.Firstly, you need to determine your facial structure- do you have an oval face, square face or heart-shaped face? The type of hair style you can wear is best determined by the shape of your face and head. By knowing the shape of your face before you visit the hair salon can help you avoid ending up with a bad hair cut.


Common Mistakes:
Regularly washing your hair strips it of essential oils and can leave it dry and brittle.trimmed every 5 weeks helps to maintain the condition of your hair and its style.Shampoo and conditioner that is not thoroughly rinsed out of the hair is the worst culprit for bad hair days.Using the right product will help to recreate that special salon style.. Using a clarifying shampoo once a week will give hair a residue free fresh start.

Tip # 1: 
Ever wonder why your hair isn't as shiny or bouncy as those ads, in spite of using the same shampoo? It is no wonder, with the way most of us treat our hair- tugging at it with a hair brush, using elastic bands, blasting it with a hot hair dryer, roughly washing it, slathering lots of products through it.Curl the brush under at the ends to achieve a slight bend. Continue until the back sections are completely dry and then repeat on the top sections of hair. 

Tip # 2:
If your hair starts looking lank, then simply put it up. Not only will this vary your look, it'll keep your hair protected from the wind and other damaging elements. And if it's really, really oily, sprinkle a small amount of talcum powder onto your scalp, as this will absorb the oil for several hours until you next shampoo. In addition, using your conditioner as though it were a shampoo - as in, massaging it into your scalp and rinsing

Hair Care Tips

The following are some basic hair care tips that you can use to improve the health and look of your hair.
General
A healthy lifestyle will mean healthier hair for you. Excessive stress, smoking, not exercising and not eating nutritiously are not healthy for your hair.

Get enough sleep.
Hair Products (Gel, mouse, hair spary...)
Avoid using hair styling products with alcohol which dries out hair.

Avoid puting hair styling products directly on your scalp, if you put it on your scalp you'll clog the pores on your head.
Swimming
Before entering a pool, wet your hair so your hair will soak up the initial water instead of the chlorinated water.

When swimming where a cap to protect your hair from chlorinated water, if you choose not to wear a cap make sure you shampoo and condition your hair right after you are done swimming.
Drying
Hot air can be damaging to your hair so when using a hair dryer use the cool setting.

Don't leave the blowdryer in one spot for more than a few seconds, keep it moving and at a good distance away from your hair.
To speed up the drying process, pat your hair dry with a towell and let the remaining moisture in your hair dry naturally.
Gently use your fingers or a pick to untangle any knots while your hair is drying. 
Combing/Brushing
Use a brush whose bristles are made from natural animal hairs, it is softer and more flexible which means less damage will be done to your hair.

Hair is most fragile when it is wet so avoid brushing or combing when it's wet, or else it will cause breakage, wait until your hair is almost completely dry before brushing it.
Use brushes/combs with widely spaced bristles/teeth and smooth tips. Sharp tooth combs can damage your hair, cause split ends, and scratch your scalp.
To keep your brushes and combs clean, wash them weekly using soap or shampoo.
Comb your hair to remove any tangles before brushing it.
Begin by combing your hair gently at the ends to get any tangles out and work your way up to the base of your hair.
Always brush/comb with a downwards stroke.
Avoid using plastic brushes/combs which create static electricity
Shampooing and Conditioning
Buy shampoos & conditioners that match your hair type, trial and error is the best way to find out what specific hair product is best for your hair.

Shower with warm water, hot water can dry and/or irritate the scalp.
It is important to wash your hair, shampooing removes dirt, dead skin cells, hair oils, any hair products you may put into your hair.
When shampooing, rinse your hair out before applying any shampoo to remove any dust, dirt, and any other foreign items, then apply the shampoo onto your scalp and massage it gently with your finger tips and work your way outwards. After you are done make sure that you thouroughly rinse out your hair to remove any shampoo residue that may be left. Shampoo residue may dry your scalp/hair and or attract dirt. It is recommended that you only lather once to avoid drying your hair out, if you have oily hair, lathering again may stimulate your oil glands to create even more oil than normal.
You should wash your hair as often as you feel necessary to keep it clean, but a general rule is for oily hair you should wash it every day or every other day and for dry hair only wash it 2-3 times a week.
Try rotating the shampoo and conditioner periodically, your hair responds differently to different products.
Use a conditioner after shampooing, it'll moisturize your hair, give it extra protection, add shine, reduce static, and makes it easier to untangle.
Use a leave in conditioner, it'll hydrate and protect your hair. A leave in conditioner on your hair is the equivalent of moisturizer on your face.
When conditioning your hair, try to spread conditioner evenly through out your hair and leave it in for a couple of minutes before rinsing out your hair.
Put the conditioner in at about an inch away from the scalp, the roots of your hair contain the most oils and usually don't need the extra conditioning.
Be gentle when shampooing and conditioning, don't use excessive force rubbing your hair, remember hair is most vunerable when wet.