The Best Products for Women’s Hairstyles
Mar 30th
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by all the gels, mousses and other hair products that flood the market today. What you need and what manufacturers will try to sell aren’t necessarily the same thing. So what does your damaged hair really need?
First, you need a good brush. Select a higher quality brush, so your hair will be healthier. Some of the best brushes may have boar’s head bristles on top of a rubber base. For this type, the bristles can be flexible, which will cut down on the damage you do to your hair when you brush.
You should also choose a hair shampoo that is made for the type of hair you have. All shampoos will clean your hair of oil and dirt, but the correct shampoo for you will have the ingredients that will keep your natural hair looking and feeling its best. Don’t over-use hair shampoo, use a dollop that is about the size of a half-dollar. Also, even though all shampoo brands advise you to rinse and repeat, you really don’t need to do this, if you did a good job. Higher prices don’t always mean better products, but you shouldn’t be afraid of choosing a more expensive shampoo if that’s what works best for your damaged hair. You actually won’t use that much.
Conditioners are available for all kinds of hair, including damaged hair and curly hair, unless your hair is so fine that it becomes limp when you condition it. Hair conditioners can help repair chemically or heat-damaged hair. A dry hair conditioner will protect your hair from those things, as well as harsh brushing. If you purchase a conditioner with moisturizing agents it will help leave your natural hair free of tangles. If you condition the ends of your hair, it will take the tangles out.
A good blow dryer will speed up the time it takes you to dry your hair, which means your hair won’t be exposed to heat for as long a time period. If you have thick or curly hair, a hair dryer is even more important.
A volumizing spray or mousse, or a straightening balm, are very helpful for people with fine or damaged hair. You can spray the roots and it will help your hair appear to have more volume. If your hair is course, skip the spray and select the balm, which will help the frizzies you battle now and then. Selecting the proper hair products will help it to remain healthy, shiny and looking great.
Women’s Hair Colouring Tips
Mar 30th
Your hair deserves nothing less than for you to take good advice on natural hair treatments that will work for you. Before you colour your hair, make sure you don’t use hair shampoo for a day or so to ensure that your scalp has a good amount of natural oils present. This helps your hair treatment colour to adhere better. If you haven’t washed your hair, this will also allow the hair colour to penetrate more deeply into each follicle, which makes the colouring job last longer. Unwashed natural hair will also protect your scalp so that the chemicals in the hair dye don’t irritate it.
After the colour is applied, wait another day or so afterward to wash your natural hair. This will give the colour more time to be absorbed, and the colour will be richer. It will be tempting to wash your hair sooner, but if you can stand the wait your hair colour will be more beautiful and consistent.
Most people wash their hair every day so that it will look and feel clean for work or school. But after you have your hair coloured, every time you wash it you remove some of the colouring and it fades faster. Shampoos, conditioners and other hair products don’t give you any protection against sun rays, which causes blond, brown or black hair colour to fade. So, it’s best for your hair if you shampoo and condition it every other day, or maybe even every third day, to help your hair colour last longer.
If you enjoy using hot oil treatments, be aware that these are usually acidic which can strip your hair’s colour. If you still wish to use hot oil treatments, make sure you select one that is specifically designed for colour-treated or damaged hair.
Using other products like permanents, relaxers and straighteners, will add chemicals to your natural hair that can cause the colour to be damaged. This may even cause your hair to become brittle or broken.
If you want your colour to last the longest it possibly can, ask your stylist about adding a gloss or glaze to your natural hair when it is coloured. This will seal the cuticles of your hair and extend the life of the hair colour. You can select a semi-permanent gloss that uses heat or no heat to help your hair colouring last longer and to make your hair shinier.
Cutting and Styling Tips for Women
Mar 30th
When you get your hair cut by a professional stylist, you’ll want to make sure that you get the best hair design every time. If you have a particular style in mind, look through photographs of haircuts online or flip through some magazines, so you can take pictures to the hairstylist with you. This will give your hairstylist a better idea of the style you want, and if you print off several hairstyles you like you’ll have those other options if the hairstylist informs you that one or more styles won’t work well with your type of hair. These photographs don’t have to be professional, either – if you have a friend with a hairstyle you’d like, snap a photo and take that with you.
If you have family and friends with hairstyles you like, ask who they use and check into having your hair styled at that salon. Stylists usually cut the other stylists’ hair too, so if you’re in a salon and particularly like one stylist’s look, ask who cuts her hair.
One aspect of hairstyles that many people overlook is the type of hair you have. If you have especially fine, course, wavy, straight, thick or curly hair, this will limit the hairstyles that will realistically work well with your hair type. If the style you love won’t look good with your hair type, an experienced stylist will be able to help you select another style that will look good on you. Doing the research is only the beginning. Make sure you work together with an experienced and professional hairstylist who can make pertinent style recommendations that are based on your colour, age, hair type and face shape. They may also recommend hair styling products like a styling gel, to help maintain your look.
Don’t let yourself be pressured by a hairstylist either, regardless of whether you’re in an expensive salon or a $10 one. You are the customer, the stylists should do what they can within the constraints of what can be done with your hair type to keep you happy. Don’t feel like you have to select a different hairstyle just because someone recommends it.
Be sure to ask a lot of questions, too. Many people overlook this step. You should understand why a stylist recommends a particular style for your hair. If he or she suggests a style that you’re not fond of, explain what you really want because they may have an idea what style will work best with the shape of your face, and you should know any reasons he or she has for the hairstyle that is suggested to you. If no good reasons are given, stick to your guns and ask about styles you would prefer, so that you can get the look you really want.
What Does Your Fragrance Say About You?
Mar 29th
What does your fragrance say about you?
If you go out without wearing a fragrance, it may mean you’re laid back and not too worried about appearances. If you wear too much fragrance, it may mean you are concerned about appearances but for some reason were not quite able to make it to the shower this morning. But the right fragrance can tell the world who you are, before you’ve even said a word.
Most men’s fragrances can be split into four groups: Floral, Oriental, Woody and Fresh. Which one says what you’d like it to?
When most people think of floral, they think of women’s perfume, but many men wear floral fragrances as well. One advantage of wearing a floral fragrance is that it (unconsciously) conjures up romantic images, and women are attracted to the smell. When you wear a scent like this, it may say that you are sensitive, caring and possibly marriage material.
Oriental fragrances tend to have notes of incense, amber, musk or vanilla. They evoke a sexy, sultry, mysterious image. This may give you the “bad boy” advantage that so many women seem to love, without actually having the personality of a bad boy.
Fragrances in the woody category can have notes of tobacco, leather, myrrh and cedar. Wearing a woody fragrance can help you exude an air of masculinity. Think smoking dens and leather chairs. Wearing a fragrance like this says you are confident and in control.
Fresh fragrances tend to be citrusy, “green” or oceanic. They are good for athletic guys who would rather go out for a hike than spend a lot of time thinking about what they’re going to wear. These scents help add to your style, but they’re generally not the first thing people notice about you. A scent like this can let people know that you are adventurous, easy-going and laid back.
The most important thing about wearing fragrance has to do with confidence. Pick a scent that you enjoy, regardless of the image you think it projects. Feeling confident is the best style-booster of all.
Tips for Dealing With Morning Sickness
Mar 29th
Congratulations!! You’re pregnant! You’ve waited for this, you’ve hoped for this—so why do you feel like vomiting? It’s hard to get geared up for the blessed event when your entire day is spent scouting out where the nearest restroom is just in case you are suddenly overwhelmed by nausea.
The following tips may help to ease your morning sickness so you can actually enjoy your pregnancy.
Get plenty of rest. Fatigue can compound morning sickness. With so much on your plate now, it’s easy to try to rush around and get everything done before the baby comes, but you should really get as much rest as possible. Nap during the day if you can, and do everything you can to get a good night’s sleep.
Take vitamin B6. This vitamin has been shown to help with morning sickness. If you can’t swallow the idea of taking another pill, there are B6 tablets that dissolve under your tongue, or there are several morning sickness “lollipops” on the market that contain B6.
Eat small amounts throughout the day. Both hunger and extreme fullness can make morning sickness worse. Keeping your stomach not too full and not too empty can be a tricky feat, but pay attention to your body’s signals, and you’ll get the hang of it.
Eat bland, salty foods, like Saltines. The blander the better, and salt also helps to ward off morning sickness. Saltines fulfill both of these requirements.
Wear sea-sickness bands. Sea sickness bands (think 80s wrist bands with a small plastic knob sewn in) work by applying pressure to a point on the wrist that is said to help alleviate nausea. Acupuncture works using the same principles, and I swore by both for my morning sickness. The bands didn’t look great, but I was so happy to see the outside of a toilet that I didn’t care.
Drink ginger or peppermint tea. Both ginger and peppermint are calming to the stomach. Putting your feet up with a cup of tea helps in the rest department, too.
Try not to get overheated. Pregnancy heats you up, and heating up induces nausea, so try dressing as if the weather outside is about 15 degrees warmer than it actually is. It’s good to wear layers so you can take them off in case you do get too hot. If you do get too hot, try cooling off with a cool compress on your forehead.
Take your prenatal vitamins at night. Prenatal vitamins can be hard on your stomach on a good day. If you take them at night, at least you can lie down to help mitigate some of the nausea they induce.
Remember, this too shall pass. It may not seem like it now, but morning sickness will not last forever. 10 months from now, when you’re holding your sweet new baby in your arms, it will all seem a distant, if somewhat hazy memory.
Plus-size Clothing Tips
Mar 29th
Contrary to seemingly popular belief, women with bodies larger than a size 12 deserve to enjoy their bodies and their clothes. Just because I wear plus-sized clothing does not mean I have no sense of style, am not interested in fashion or do not want to look good.
Shopping as a plus-sized woman can be intimidating, overwhelming and disheartening. It seems that many department stores do feel that plus-size women don’t care about style. One way to get around this is to shop online. There are many online stores that cater to plus-sized women. They tend to have more variety and more stylish options available. Shopping online also allows you the luxury of trying on clothing in the privacy of your own home.
When you buy clothing online, two things are very important. First, carefully examine the store’s return policy. Be sure that you can easily return something that doesn’t work for you. Second, don’t go by sizes. (This is true no matter where you shop.) Clothing sizes vary from designer to designer. Don’t assume that because you’re an 18 in one clothing line, you’re an 18 in all clothing lines. Rather, take measurements of your body. Most online stores/catalogues give the measurements of their clothing, allowing you to choose a fit that is just right.
Often, plus-sized women think that showing less of our bodies is better, hiding them under layers of black, baggy clothing. Think again!! Black may be slimming, but all-over black can be drab and wash out your skin tone. You can add a splash of colour, or even go with a monochromatic suit in a bright colour.
Fit is more important than colour in making you look slimmer. If your clothes fit you well, you will look better, no matter the colour. Properly fitted clothes can accentuate your feminine shape, making you look better and feel more confident. If you’re uncomfortable wearing a completely fitted outfit, try fitted pants with a tunic on top, or a fitted top with a flowing skirt.
It’s also a good idea to pick one of your favourite body parts and find a way to accentuate it. Do you have great legs? How about a long skirt with a slight slit in it? Nice arms? Go sleeveless (if you don’t want to go completely sleeveless, drape a shawl or sweater over a sleeveless shirt so that just a bit of your arms peek out). Or show a little cleavage. Work with what you’ve got!
And finally, accessorize. One of the many great things about accessories is that they don’t come in sizes! A great necklace, bracelet or earrings can really set off an outfit.
Get clothes that fit, don’t be afraid of colour, work with what you’ve got, and don’t forget to accessorize. You’ll be sure to make a splash!
First Date Dont’s
Mar 29th
A first date can set you on edge, but remembering these tips will help your date go more smoothly.
Don’t talk too much (or too little). Remember, you’re on this date to narrow down the candidates for the position of “the one.” In order to determine whether or not this person has a shot of filling this position, you will actually need to listen to what they are saying. To truly listen, you can’t talk the entire time. And, conversely, if the other person is asking you questions, try not to give one-word answers. Open up a little bit, because they’re also trying to gather relevant information about you.
Don’t wear false anything. This includes, but is not limited to, breasts, butts, eyelashes, coloured contact lenses and hair. You may be trying to make a good impression, but you want this person to like you for who you actually are. If you are on a date with a guy who keeps complimenting your beautiful (colour contact induced) green eyes, you will feel silly when, at some point, he sees that your eyes are actually brown. Of course, you want someone who likes you for your personality, and not based on the thickness of your hair or the colour of your eyes, but there is something to be said for truth in advertising.
Don’t get drunk. Remember the “don’t talk too much” rule? Getting drunk makes following that rule practically impossible. It also increases the likelihood that you will say or do something so embarrassing that you will never see your date again.
Don’t talk about your ex. Not only is this self-involved and boring for the other person, but it loads up this fresh, new relationship with all kinds of baggage. Right off the bat, you’ve told this guy that he’s going to have to do a lot of work to a) earn your trust or b) live up to the fable of “the one who got away.” Who wants to deal with that after only a Caesar salad?
Don’t talk about how many kids you want to have. If you’ve already have kids, that’s one thing, but if not, the first date is not the time to talk about them. Of course, at some point, you are going to need to talk about your hopes, dreams and goals for the future, but if you’re already talking about how many kids you’d like to have on the first date, you’re again, setting the other person up to meet an impossible goal. How does she know that she wants to be the mother of your kids? How does she know you like her for her, and not just for her child-bearing hips (a phrase that should NEVER be used on a first date, by the way)?
Basically, this list of “no’s” is to ensure that you are as much yourself on your first date as possible because you are the only you there is, and the person you’re on your date with is lucky to get you!
Moving In? Think Again.
Mar 29th
Are you considering moving in with your significant other? It’s an exciting proposition, but here are some things you may want to consider first.
Money. Is your boyfriend/girlfriend financially stable enough to depend upon? You may not be joining bank accounts yet, but any debts or money issues your partner has will definitely affect you. And if you’re signing a lease together, you’ll need to know that you won’t be left holding the bag, paying all of the rent.
Lifestyle. Your girlfriend’s propensity to leave her socks on her kitchen table might be cute when it’s her kitchen table, but when it’s yours, you might find it a little more irksome. Is he a night owl while you’re an early-bird? These things may not have the power to make or break your relationship, but they can definitely put a strain on it and should be considered before you make the move.
Problems in your relationship. Any difficulties you have in your relationship will not be helped by moving in together. Living in close proximity to someone 24 hours a day will only intensify any issues that are already there. Be sure you are aware of what those are, talk through them and try to come up with solutions before you move in together.
Dealing with disapproval. Although living together without being married is more common than it used to be, there are still plenty of people out there who will meet your decision with disapproval. You can remain quiet when they say something disapproving, or reply with something like, “I appreciate your opinion, but this is the decision that is best for us.” Ultimately, it is your life and your decision to make.
Division of labour. Sometimes the division of labour in a new living arrangement happens organically, but other times, you may need to sit down and have a discussion about who will be in charge of doing what. You may be irritated that your boyfriend hasn’t taken out the trash in three days, but he may have honestly thought that you were going to do it. As in all things, communication is key.
Merging households can be fun, challenging, and has the possibility of strengthening your relationship like nothing else has. As long as you meet the opportunity with your eyes wide open, you’re willing to communicate honestly and openly, and secure enough with yourself to meet any opposition head-on, you will have a great time.
When to Call After a First Date
Mar 29th
There was wine, there was candlelight, and there was a friendly goodnight kiss. You just had your first date and it went great. So how soon should you contact her to let her know you had a great time and would like to see her again?
There is of course the school of thought that women like being strung along, and as such, you should wait at least three days before contacting her. This lets her know that you are cool, in control, and probably have lots of options available for how to spend your time. Oh yah, and it also lets her know that you’re a jerk. Not only that, but keep in mind, in this age of shortened attention spans, three days is plenty of time for someone to forget what a great time she had.
Since theoretically you’re looking for a long term relationship, and said relationships are (hopefully) based on trust and mutual respect, why would you start the relationship off with game-playing and manipulation?
If you truly enjoyed your date and her company, and honestly think this relationship has the possibility of going somewhere, let her know then and there. Not in a clingy, desperate way, but in a friendly, “see you soon” kind of way. As you’re parting for the evening, let her know you had a great time and you’ll talk to her soon.
Then, talk to her soon!! If you told her you’d call her tomorrow, call her tomorrow. If you told her you’d call her on Monday, call her on Monday! This not only shows that you are interested, it also shows that you are a man of your word and that you can be trusted.
Now, not playing games or manipulating aside, you don’t want to appear clingy or desperate, so if you told her you’d call her tomorrow, don’t call her two times tonight. And once you’ve made the follow-up call, the ball is in her court. You don’t need to follow-up to make sure she got the message, or check to see if she’s got plans every night this week.
Your first date went well, you followed up like you said you would, now you can relax knowing that you’ve done all you can. She’ll call you back, and if she doesn’t, she obviously isn’t worth taking out again anyway.
Wedding Hairstyles for Your Special Day
Mar 28th
When you’re about to become a bride, you’ll have plenty on your mind as the special day approaches, and your wedding hairstyle should not be one of them. If you’ve done your research and looked through pictures of wedding hairstyles online and in magazines, you’ll be able to spend your wedding day care-free and not worrying about your wedding hairstyle. Whether you’ve decided to wear your hair straight, curly or in an updo, you can find the newest looks of wedding hairstyles online to help you decide which to choose for your wedding.
Wedding hairstyles come in many sizes and shapes, including upsmooth, downsmooth, upcurls, downcurls, half up/half down hairstyles, braids or plaits. Formal occasions like weddings require a perfect wedding hairstyle, and one that flatters your dress and accessories. It should also suit your personality or you won’t feel comfortable wearing it.
You’ll want to find a qualified hairstylist if you don’t already have one who is capable of doing formal hairdos. A professional will need to check your hair texture, type and length to make sure that the straight or curly wedding hairstyle you want can be done on your hair. If not, they can utilize hair extensions that will fill out any missing style elements. If you have straight hair, rollers will help create more body and make your hair more manageable. For curly or wavy hair, rollers may be able to help add definition to the curls. Wedding hairstyles that look smooth will require just the opposite, which may involve stretching your hair into the shape you want. Make sure you free up at least two hours in your hectic schedule to have your hairstyle for wedding completed.
If your wedding hairstyle is created properly, it will look splendid and will also fit with the theme of your wedding. If you have a style that requires pinning, this may help the hairstyles last longer, rather than becoming looser as the day goes on. Your bridal hairstyle should reflect your personality and you’ll want to get the most you can from your wedding stylist.
