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Archive for February, 2009

How to Save Money on Your Haircuts

February 28th, 2009 No comments

Everyone is looking to save some money. Well, there are several ways that you can save money on your haircuts. Yes, you can save money by cutting your own hair at home, but you can actually get a hair dresser or barber to cut your hair and still save money. The following are some easy ways that anybody can save some money on their haircuts.

Check your advertisements and circulars for any coupons to hair salons and barber shops. I know that when I get our weekly coupon advertisements and circulars, I always find a coupon for a haircut in them. Many times it may have a stipulation that you have to be a new client or it is only good with certain hair dressers at the place, but if you are looking to save money on your haircuts, you can’t be that picky. Save any coupons when you find them and this way you can have several to pick from when it’s time to get your haircut.

Pick a hair style that doesn’t require as many haircuts to keep up the style. Growing your hair longer can actually save you money on your haircuts. Longer hair can usually go longer in between haircuts. The less haircuts that you get in a year, the less money you have to spend. When you go to get your haircut, ask your hair dresser or barber for a style that can get you through at least 8-10 weeks without a haircut. This may not be plausible for men, but you can still get an easier haircut that grows out well so that you can longer in between haircuts also.

Look around your area for any cosmetology or barber schools. I know of at least 3 different cosmetology and barber schools within 20 minutes of my house. These schools offer discounted haircuts since the people cutting your hair are the students. If you just want a simple trim or haircut, why not save half of the money and get your hair cut at one of these schools. Also, the schools will have professional hair dressers and barbers who are the teachers watching over their students as they cut hair, so the students are not completely on their own. If you don’t like something or you think that something is wrong with your haircut, you can ask for a teacher to fix the haircut or help the student.

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How to Choose the Right Hair Conditioner

February 28th, 2009 No comments

How to Choose the Right Hair Conditioner for your Hair

Hair conditioners are often overlooked or perhaps dropped out of most hair care regimens. A well informed customer will of course know the importance of using a quality hair conditioner that is specially designed to suit different hair types. While there is a plethora of hair conditioners to choose from; knowing your hair type is an important requisite to choosing the right conditioner. Depending on the hair concern and the hair type; choosing the right hair conditioner becomes absolutely vital for hair repair or maintenance. Our hair will eventually thank you for making a well informed and judicious choice.

Ascertain your Hair Type or Hair Malady

It is important to determine your hair type prior to choosing your hair conditioner. Ask yourself a few questions like is your hair frizzy, dry, limp, oily, straight, curly, wavy, scanty, rough at the edges and oily at the roots or do you have an oily or dry scalp? Also determine the health of your hair. Does it lack luster or do you suffer from hair fall? Do you find your hair difficult to manage or is it unmanageable? Once you have the answers to these questions or any other hair concern that you may have, you will be in a better stead to choose the right conditioner for your hair.

How to choose the right hair conditioner

Conditioner for Dry and Frizzy Hair

A rich moisturizing conditioner is best suited for chronic dry or frizzy hair. For hair that has tendency to dry out at the edges as well requires a conditioner that can supply that added moisture and hydration and can help repair and/or maintain frizzy or dry hair types.

Conditioner for Limp or Fine Hair Type

Limp and fine hair types is highly undesirable and while in most cases this hair type is genetically determined, environmental and health conditions can be a major cause for this hair type. A volumizing hair conditioner i.e. a hair conditioner that induces volume in the hair is best suited for limp or fine hair.

Conditioner for normal hair

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Green Tea for Health – Inside and Out

February 28th, 2009 No comments

Lose fat? Reduce “bad” cholesterol? Improve your skin tone? Green tea (Camellia sinensis) has been touted for all these health benefits – and more. Is it really a cure-all, or is it just hype?

Consumer Reports Health rates herbal remedies as “likely effective, possibly effective, possibly ineffective and insufficient evidence”. http://nmcd.consumerreports.org Many of the claims for green tea are listed in the “insufficient evidence” column, but here is what I personally know about the use of green tea for health.

When I was diagnosed with borderline hypertension, I was put on a low dose of a traditional medication to lower my blood pressure. However, I much prefer using natural treatments rather than drugs, so I began my research. In several clinical trials, green tea has been shown to reduce blood pressure, so I simply increased my daily cup by two additional cups. In only two months, my blood pressure has dropped within acceptable levels without the use of drugs.

I read in Wikipedia that green tea is believed to cure blotchiness of the skin. I tried it after a minor outbreak on my face, and within a day, the red blotches were gone! Lotion containing green tea extract has been soothing when I have sunburn, and according to the Wikipedia article, it was used to treat persons who were with radiation burns. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_tea

The tea tree oil that is used by manicurists to moisturize my nails contains mostly oil from green tea, and I have recently seen hair conditioners with green tea as a main ingredient. As I have seen first-hand how well the oil softens and strengthens my nails, it seems it would do just as well for strong, shiny hair.

The use of green tea as a stimulant is well-known, but oddly enough, it has less caffeine than coffee. Green tea is available in decaffeinated form, but users should know it has two other substances that mimic caffeine: theophylline and theobromine. Given that theophylline was the drug given to my daughter to combat severe asthma episodes, I would guess that green tea may be very useful as a quick antidote to a minor asthma attack!

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Finding the Perfect Short Hairstyle for Your Wedding

February 28th, 2009 No comments

You’ve found your dress and the matching shoes, decorations have been picked out and guests have already RSVP’d so, now all you are left to decide is what to do with your hair. If you are one of the many brides-to-be with short hair then you know that there never seems to be nearly as many hairstyle options available to you. Though this may be the case that does not mean that you can not find one that is perfect for you, here is a guide to help you with this feat and give you ideas so that you end up with the beautiful hairstyle for your wedding that you have always dreamed of.

Pictures-Pictures-Pictures

Sometimes figuring out where to start looking for those ideas can be the hardest step of all. Spending hours on end browsing websites that claim they have pictures only to find out that they don’t can be frustrating so to save you some time I have gathered up some sites that show pictures of wedding hairstyles for short hair and will list them for you.

This first link will provide you with pictures of wedding hairstyles for short hair, you may also find a few good short wedding hairstyle ideas here too. If for any reason you did not find the right style in the previous links to wedding hairstyles that would work for you then you can check out the mixed length and styles here as well for some different ideas.

Hopefully these sites will give you some idea of what you are looking for and wanting or at least a good place to start.

Bridal Magazines

Another great avenue to explore when you are trying to find the perfect wedding hairstyle is magazines. These come in handy with letting you see what some of the newest and trendiest styles being used right now are.

Here are a few suggestions for magazines you can pick up that may come in handy- Brides magazine, Hamptons Bride, Southern Bride magazine and Contemporary Bride. For those of you who just can never have enough magazines here is a wedding directory that lists several other wedding magazines that you may be interested in.

Wedding Hair Accessories

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Top 3 Razors for Sensitive Skin for Men and Women

February 28th, 2009 No comments

With all the razors on the market these days it is hard to know which ones are best for sensitive skin I know this from experience. I have tried so many different razors and most of them have always ended up leaving me disappointed. It has been hard to find the right one that wouldn’t irritate my already sensitive skin.

~ For Women~

My first choice is definitely the Noxzema Sensitive Skin Razor. They come with a triple blade and that helps so much. They also have a aloe strip on them so it makes them easier to use. Whenever I have used them they have always done a great job and haven’t irritated my skin. The only draw back to these is that they are disposable and after one use they are really not usable again. Its not recommended to use them over again but lets get real we don’t always use our disposables once then throw them away. Unfortunately with these you will end up having to pitch them, They are about 5.00$ for a eight pack which really isn’t that bad of a price for the job that they do. There are a lot of razors for a cheaper price in the disposable brand but they really don’t do that great of a job. These are awesome for a disposable.

My second choice and only because I have to do them in order is the Venus Embrace Smooth 5. It has the added benefit of the Venus razor which is very comfortable. This razor has 5 blades and it has a moisture ribbon on it so that it glides smoother this added feature makes it almost certain that you will not have irritated skin. I love this razor it gets every hair and gets into places a regular one would. The only drawback to this razor is that it is a tad bit more expensive and it is a traditional razor which means you have to replace the blades. They cost about 8.00$ for the starter pack and the replacement blades are about 13.00$ this is a great deal because of the job they do. I am very impressed with this razor and it does a great job not irritating my skin.

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How to Do Your Make-Up like Hannah Montana for Your Costume

February 28th, 2009 No comments

The Halloween holiday is coming up, and 9 out of 10 tween girls are going to be the famous Hannah Montana – you want your little girl to look just like her? Well, you have the sparkly costume down, the tights with the boots or chucks Hannah Montana loves, and the long blonde wig with highlights and bangs to go along. But, what’s a Hannah Montana Costume without the make-up to look just like her?

First off, Hannah Montana always wears blush. Buy a cheap blush, something very pink with a tint of red. Even a cream blush would work well if you not going for an all-out Hannah Montana cheek look.

Start with a light to medium foundation.Try a matte finished powder or liquid if you can find one, as Hannah Montana always has flawless, beautiful skin in her episodes! As for Hannah Montana’s eyes, she loves blue, silvers and lots of eyeliner. An easy way to make your eyes dark and wide if to apply a few layers of mascara you can even apply false eyelashes if you have some, and then this great trick for the eyeliner:

Use either pencil or liquid eyeliner, if it’s for a tween, use pencil – the liquid tends to irritate sensitive eyes, and can eventually just become a mess and possibly a sob session. Apply under entire bottom eyelid, and also the top lid. On the outer corners of the eye, connect the two lines and slightly create a small point on the corners of each eye with the liner. Now, to make the eye liner stay and look natural and not to drawn-on, take a very fine make-up brush (eyebrow brush if you can find one) and dip in a dark shade of gray or black, depending on what look you like better, lightly tap off the excess shadow, then blend onto the eye liner you already drew. This creates a smoky look onto your eyes, just like Hannah Montana!

As for lipstick like Hannah Montana, stick with a simple pink gloss, nothing too red. Remember, Hannah Montana is a teenager, not an old lady. Make sure to carry your lip gloss around to reapply when it wears off, so you can keep the Hannah Montana look going all day or night!

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Buying Waterproof Cosmetics

February 28th, 2009 No comments

Waterproof cosmetics are designed to be used when involved in wet or humid circumstances. Such as rainy days, swimming trips, and activities that may involve crying tears. These cosmetics are designed to be smear or smudge proof, making them great for women who are active outdoors or athletic.

As with any other cosmetics, you will need to choose the ones that are right for your own perosnal skin type. Because the bases of waterproof cosmetics are somewhat different, they will most likely apply to your skin differently than the non-waterproof that you are accustomed to using. Depending upon the porosity and moisture level of your skin, some waterproof cosmetics may not give you the same coverage that you are looking for. Therefore you may want to try different brands of make-up in order to get the same coverage as from your normal wear make-up. The oils within the foundation or the lack of oils is what makes the considerable difference in coverage. And coverage of the right foundation is very important. Consider this; if your skin is very dry some waterproof foundations may cake on your skin leaving it to look almost fake. And if your skin is oily, the wrong foundation can smear into a streaked look if it gets wet. Similar to a wet powder. Of course while these effects may not be severely noticable to others at a glance, this problem can easily be prevented by testing different cosmetics before using them.

Most all lines of cosmetics have their own waterproof items. And choosing the best ones will be a personal and individual task. However, a few of the top lines of cosmetics are Estee Lauder, Clinique, and Lancome. These cosmetics you will find in departments stores, as well as on-line. There are also great water-proof cosmetics carried by Max Factor, Maybelline, Mary Kay, Cover Girl and Avon.

According to an article from IVillage.com, the following were listed as the top ten rated waterproof mascaras:

1.) Avon Wash Off

2.)Max Factor 2000 Calorie Aqua Lash

3.)Lancome Aquacils Waterproof Mascara with Keratine

4.)Cover Girl Professional Waterproof Mascara

5.)Maybelline Illegal Lengths

6.)Cover Girl Marathon Waterproof

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Emergency Beauty Fixes

February 28th, 2009 No comments

It started with a broken lipstick, but now the lotion pump has quit working too. Before you step out the door looking haggard and unkempt, fix these common beauty kit complaints with these helpful tips.

LIQUID LIPPY

Problem: Your lipstick broke during your mad-dash application this morning.

Cause: Heat’s to blame. You probably left it in a hot place and started to melt, lipstick main ingredients is wax, and exposure to heat will surely melt it. Overzealous application can also cause the color stick to break.

Solution: Place them in the refrigerator, for those tubes that have begun to wiggle. For those that have completely broken off, use a butter knife to scoop it into an empty toiletry pot and use a lip brush or Q-tip to dispense the product. Toiletry pots are available at department stores in various sizes.

COLOR CRUSH

Problem: Your eye shadow is now a cloud of colored powder. (This applies to blush and bronzer as well)

Cause: You dropped it, or it has been tumbling around in your beauty bag.

Solution: Crush it finely and transfer it a toiletry pot or even a plastic bottle to store. Dip a brush into the color, and use it as you would if it were still in pressed form. Be sure to tap the brush against your hand to regulate the amount of product to be applied. You can also turn your crushed blush into lip gloss by mixing a bit of the loose particle with petroleum jelly or clear lip balm.

DISPENSING DUD

Problem: You can still see lotion at the bottom of your bottle, but your pump is not dispensing any of it.

Cause: The tube may not be long enough to get all the lotion. Your pump could also be jammed with dried lotion.

Solution: Attach drinking straw, cut to size, to the end of the pump. This extends the pump to be able to reach more lotion. Or cut open the bottle and transfer the remaining product to a cosmetic pot. If the pump is jammed, remove from bottle, and run warm water over it to wash away dried lotion. Use a toothpick to help with the stubborn clogs.

HAIR NOT

Problem: Nothing but air is coming from you hair spray bottle. Or worse the pump wouldn’t budge at all.

Cause: Hairspray is sticky stuff. Excess product can get all over your pump, and can harden.

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How to Choose the Right Skin Care Product for Your Skin

February 28th, 2009 No comments

Having a good skin is a means of projecting a proactive lifestyle. This means you are taking good care of yourself. Although every body part is as important as the others, our face seems to be a crucial area that we all aim to have good skin texture and free from blemishes.

Deciding for a facial skin care regimen is sometimes difficult since there are many beauty products available in beauty shops or department stores. If you are burdened what facial care that will best work for your skin, seek the advice of a health expert or dermatologist.

Caring for the skin entails time and effort. You have to maintain a personalized routine to help you clean and moisturize your skin. When it comes to facial skin care, there are several considerations to know before getting the appropriate beauty products.

Men and women have different skin types. This reality gives us the idea that when facial skin care regimen is concerned, you can never generalize beauty products as to where they would fit since there is no standard formula that may work in any skin type, especially in both gender. Women usually have finer skin texture compared to men who usually have rugged facial skin with bigger pores.

Skin types can be categorized as normal, oily, dry and sensitive or a combination of them. Certain facial skin care products have been formulated depending on the skin needs. We have to remember that ingredients may sometimes be harsh to an individual if he uses a product that is not intended to his skin texture.

Before purchasing a beauty product, check first the ingredients. If you are not aware about your skin type, then you are advised to consult a dermatologist to determine the right products for your skin.

Some facial skin care products cater to different markets. Consumers are usually classified as young and old. The young individuals usually have skin that is more sensitive and so the products are specially formulated to produce less irritating effects. Meanwhile, the older ones can have products that may have harsh ingredients but do not irritate the skin. Every beauty product has a corresponding age level.

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How to Put Moisture in African American Hair

February 28th, 2009 No comments

Searching for quality hair care products can be expensive if you do not know what to look for. Your natural hair may look dull, brittle, and dry. You may be applying products that are not effective. Choosing products that are nourishing does not always have to be expensive or difficult to find. Here are some tips to help you nourish your hair with great inexpensive hair products.

No Poo

A great way to keep moisture in your hair is with frequent conditioner washings. Washing your hair two to three times a week or after heavy exercise is important. Harsh shampoos may strip away the natural oil in your hair. Inexpensive conditioners for dry hair work well. For example Suave coconut conditioner, or juicy green apple can be purchased very inexpensively. These products work well on straight or curly hair that is relaxed, colored, or in its natural state. In the cooler months of the year, you may avoid getting your hair wet because of the colder weather outdoors. However, applying oil or nourishing oil based creams while your hair is damp after conditioner washing helps to seal in moisture for a few days.

Good Oils for Hair

Oils do not have to be expensive to be effective. Think of high quality oil as an investment. These oils can be applied daily to protect the ends of your hair from the elements. Look for single oils or mixtures of oils that do not contain mineral oil or petroleum. Great oils to look for are olive oil, carrot oil, castor oil, wild growth oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil.

Cream Moisturizers and Hair Butters

Cream Moisturizers that are based on oils work very well on natural or relaxed hair. You may need to make a habit of checking the label before you purchase any moisturizing product. Make sure that the label does not contain any mineral oil. The mineral oil will attract dust to your hair. Many women like products with mineral oil, because their hair does not naturally shine. An alcohol free shine spray may be a good alternative. A good cream moisturizer to try is B B castor oil cream. Creamy moisturizers and hair butters that contain Shea butter smell great and seal in moisture.

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