Grey Hair - Coloring Gray Hair

As I was diligently working on my computer my friend came up behind me to see how I was doing, she said ” Hey, how’s it…” then nothing, I turned around and she was staring at the top of my head. I said, “What ’s wrong?”, “nothing” she replied. So I got up to go look in the mirror and what I saw made me want to cry. GREY HAIR…. grey hair, already? I never thought that I would have grey hair. I mean I know we are all bound to getting older but it just never occurred to me that lil ol’ me would have to start thinking about whether or not I want to dye my hair or let it go grey or anything else revolving around that topic. Some people look absolutely beautiful with their grey hair, a good cut with good features and yes, you can look good, but what about the people with very fine hair, or people that just don’t look good with grey hair? I have seen some pretty bad dye jobs, the ones where the hair is a dark color and you can see the scalp through it. Not pretty! Now that I myself am going through this…CHANGE…..I have been researching and discussing with people on what they did when their hair started to turn on them. Here is what I found:

Vicki, from Salmon Arm told me that if she had the money to dye her hair, she would, if she didn’t, she wouldn’t. She was just happy that her hair wasn’t snow white from stress! It was neither here nor there for her.

Miranda, on the other hand was not happy to see her hair turning grey, she tried every kind of dye just to cover it up. “If it was a choice between milk and hair dye, nobody drank milk,” she said. “It was very tough on me, I don’t know why it affected me so much but it did!”

figure 1: This hair colour has good reviews for covering up grey.

I would recommend trying something “all natural” for dyeing and re-dyeing your hair. Since grey hair seems to grow back so fast it would be beneficial to use something considered healthy instead of doing damage to your hair on a month-to-month basis.

figure 2: All natural hair colour

Not all of us are bound to becoming grey, but for those of us who are it is not the end of the world. There are many different types of dyes, some of which you can use regularly. If you are not a “dyer” then choosing the right hair cut and having it grey is still “hot”!

I don’t think I have seen a photo of a man with grey hair that I didn’t like, they always seem to pull off the “distinguished” look. Till next time Good Luck!

Niki

Invention of the Hair dryer

The first model hairdryer was created by Alexandre F. Godefoy in 1890 in his salon in France. Some of the other blow dryers were actually purpose made boxes that sat on a table.

I could not find any commentary on this photo, only is known to be a late 1800’s hairdryer.

The hair dryer was patterned after the vacuum cleaner and as a marketing gimmick, some vacuum cleaners had attachments that could be used to dry your hair. Hand held dryers were introduced by the US Racine Universal Motor Company (Wisconsin), and the Hamilton Beach Co. in 1920 . Most of the electric motor business left Racine in the 1960’s.

This is a 1920 Hamilton Beach Hairdryer, they were built like tanks and believe it or not this one is said to still work. (you can see it at www.jitterbuzz.com)

In 1922 a small enough electric motor was developed so the dryer could be hand held. This was added to a hairdryer and it then became very popular. Over the next 40 years improvements in heat level, speed and weight made hairdryers even better to use.

figure 1: This early electric fan-driven hairdryer was used by middle class families and could be found in Germany cir.1925. This photo is taken from the Science Museum.

figure 2: This blow dryer is from the mid 40’s and has a wooden handle with a cloth cord. It is marked “Kwik Way Mfg.”

figure 3: This blow dryer is pink with a wooden handle and is made by Kenmore. It is thought to be somewhere in the 1940’s-1950’s range.

figure 4: This is a vintage electric 1960’s Bettina Universal hair dryer in an ostrich skin suitcase. The heating unit is attached to the carrier and blows hot air through the hose into the plastic cap.

So you see how far we’ve come from boxes on tables to cordless hair dryers. I got to tell you that I am far more likely to use the hand held with or without the cord but definitely without the box! Till next time Good Luck,

niki

How to Find a Hair Stylist

When I was about 19, I went to this hairdresser in “a small town” I hadn’t noticed the smell of alcohol on her breath till my hair was half done. When she was finally finished, I cried, and cried and cried. I was so upset that when I got home, my mom only had to look at me to know that I had been scalped by a drunken hairstylist. She was more upset than me, she dialed the salon asked for the “drunken hairstylist” and told her how awful my hair looked and that she was sending me back to get it fixed. What? sending me back? Oh, please mom, noooo. Well needless to say I always get up close and personal now when choosing a new hairstylist.

A good stylist is in fact easy to find. I mean all you have to do is go into a salon and watch them work. Look at how many different types of hair they can work on, leaving a satisfied customer in the works. Can they do short hair, long hair, thick hair, thin hair, can they color?

If you see a hairstyle you like on someone, don’t be afraid to ask them where they got their hair done. When scouting out a salon, stay long enough to see the outcome of a clients hair. Is she happy? Did she get what she asked for? Don’t forget that not all hairtypes can do the same thing, you may want a hairstyle that just wont work with your type of hair. Tell the stylist what type of hair you have and if they are good they will be able to tell you if your hair can do that or not. See if they have a portfolio, check out the styles and cuts inside, are they good? Do the clients look happy?

Chances are if they are smiling they are happy and this could be a possible hair stylist for you, if they don’t look so happy, move on to the next salon and do your detective work once again!

Till next time Good Luck,

Niki

Summer Hair

Summer’s here and time to look sexy! Who doesn’t love a good tan, a nice slinky summer dress and a sexy hairstyle? Here are some of the popular summer hairstyles.

figure 1: Very casual wash and go look, good for at the beach when you can just swim and go.

figure 2: The easiest hairstyle in the world, up in a messy bun!

figure 3: This goes to show that even the shortest hair can still be put into a ponytail and look absolutely CUTE!

fig.4 - Keep hair out of your face with a hair band or scarf for an easy yet pretty summer hairstlye

figure 5: Just letting your hair down be seems to be the sexiest thing to do this year, I am seeming to agree!

Everything is about being casual this year, too much make-up is considered “last year” too much “hair-do” is simply too much work! Try going a little more casual this summer, there is so much more beauty when you just give what you’ve got! Try wearing a little bronzer instead of just baking your skin in the sun, you don’t want to age yourself faster than we already do!

Till next time, Good Luck.

Niki

How to Have Healthy Hair by Eating Right

Just like our skin it is all in what we take in our bodies that makes our hair healthy or not. I am often asked why someone’s skin looks so poor, and I am often right, it is in what you eat. It is the same with your hair. If you are putting junk food into your body how is anything healthy going to come out of it?

You can increase the health of your hair, skin and nails by a healthy diet, here are some examples. Now I know that flaxseed does not sound very appetizing but it is so beneficial in your diet.

You can sprinkle some on your cereal every morning as it provides essential fatty acids. Eat blueberries whenever you can they are amazing for your skin and hair, they are known to help in keeping that youthful appearance.

Take a handful of nuts with you to work or on a long drive, of course nuts are fattening but only when and if you eat them like they are going out of style.  But when you add only a little to a healthy meal they are very nutritious.

They fill you up so that the smallest amount will make you feel full, you don’t need much.  Eat as much fresh fruit as you can, your hair and skin love fresh fruit. Onions, broccoli, fish and sea vegetables are all good sources. Drink tea made from alfalfa, burdock root, dandelion, and yellow dock. Take Vegetal Selica and Horsetail vitamins, excellent for helping hair grow healthy and strong. Eat foods rich in biotin (Vitamin B7), it produces crucial enzymes.

Many people use Biotin to strengthen hair and nails. All of these “suggestions” will help maintain skin, hair and well just basic nutrition. What we put into our bodies is what we will see come out of our bodies in the long run.

Till next time Good Luck,

niki

How to Wave Hair

We’ve all been out walking and noticed the girl with the lovely waves of hair, wondering how we could have hair like that.

Most girls have natural waves where they just wash and go. Some of us it takes a little work. A lot of styling products, scrunching, blowdry styling upside down. Most of the time we just go to the hair salon and get a body wave which at least lasts approx. 3 months. This type of body wave does dry out the hair a little more than just the blowdry styling, but at least it stays for awhile.

You could also use a larger curling iron, or you can add waves to your hair with a hair straightener. A 1″ professional hair iron will make great waves that hold all day. The bigger curling irons work great because you can chose how big you want your waves. I found that using the velcro rollers did not work so well, they don’t stay firmly in and therefore produce loose fitting waves.

How to Hair Rollers

Back in 96 ( okay it was 86 but who’s counting) I was attending Hairdressing School in New Westminster, BC. We had these 1960’s like mannequin heads that we had to practice all kinds of hair styles on. These heads had the same kind of hair that Barbie did back in the 70’s and it was tougher than you would think trying to do anything with them.

The only fun easy part of hairdressing school was the roller sets, ohhhh the roller sets, easy, flip on roller, pin, next! Hair rollers are so easy in fact that a child could use them. They can make any flat hair incredibly “not flat” and do the least amount of damage. Follow these simple steps to achieve fuller, curly, smooth looking hair.

1. The first thing you will need are the rollers.

2. Wash your hair and use a setting lotion.

3. Begin at the front of your head with a rat tail comb and part your hair in two sections the length of the tooth part of the comb. Measure against the roller so you don’t have hair hanging off the sides.

figure 1.

4. Comb the section of hair forward and hold it tight with your fingers. You should be stretching the hair but not pulling it. Press the ends against the roller. Make sure to moisten hair throughout process as curls wont hold if you roll them on the drier side.

figure 2.

5. Roll the hair onto the roller keeping it flattened against the roller and make sure it is taught. If there is any slack during the rolling process it will show when you are done. Make sure it is neat and tidy the whole time. Carefully and securely place a clip to the each end of the roller. Your first roller is done!

figure 3.

6. Do this process all over always rolling back. When you are finished place a hair net over your hair and you can air dry or use a hair dryer. When your hair is completely dry remove net and curlers.

This is the best know “healthy” way to style your hair daily. Until next time Good Luck!

niki

Best Flat Irons for African American Relaxed Hair

The Karmin Hair Straightener is one of the best flat irons for African American relaxed hair. Many hair straighteners straighten hair but if you have African American hair you will know that it is tougher to straighten than any other. Once you have your hair relaxed it won’t stay that way forever, you will need touch ups and such.

figure 1: Before and after relaxing

Once your relaxed hair starts to grow out you can use the Karmin on the roots, or when you want extra shine. There are titanium plates used on the Karmin which provide an even heat distribution and amazing durability under high heats which is important in obtaining the best results possible. Titanium delivers the most negative ions and infrared heat for smooth, frizz free, shiny hair. Another of the great features of the Karmin Km4000 Titanium Hair Iron is the tourmaline, it makes it safe to use on relaxed hair. So instead of getting your hair relaxed too often, which will result in damage, try the Karmin for all the touch ups you will need.

figure 2: After hair relaxer and straightening

Till next time Good Luck,

Niki

How to Wear Hair Up

Sometimes wearing our hair up is all we can do to fix a “bad hair day”. I am often told I look better with my hair up, I tend to disagree, I love having my hair down…on a good hair day of course. Here are some trendy up styles that some of the celebrities are wearing.

Here is a loose outside french braid that is wrapped around from front to back.

Wearing your hair down, especially if it’s past your shoulders, will make your face look longer while sweeping it off your face is instantly uplifting,” notes Paula Casano, co-owner of New York City’s Insitu Salon.

A well styled up do has professional written all over it. Although we can have more problems with our hair up than when down, a low pony tail or well polished “fold” should do the trick.

Absolutely more professional with hair up while the hair down is more suited for a casual outing.

If you haven’t had time to get a trim and frizzy ends are making your locks fall lank, tie them up, says Barry Reitman, a celebrity stylist at Juan Juan in Beverly Hills.

Straightening your hair with a hair iron is great for a sleek easy up hair do as well, it leaves the hair that you leave outside of the elastic in a straight sort of “messy look”

Tie your hair band to either side of the back of your head and flip over your shoulder. Use a hair straightener to flip ends up.

Till next time Good Luck,

niki

How to Style Hair - Quick & Easy Hair

Some of us are very busy, we don’t have the time to wash, dry and style without getting up at 5am to get to work by 9am. Here are some easy hair styling tips to let you sleep in a little longer.

Apply styling foam and blow dry with a round brush. Appy a small amount of hair wax and use fingers to style.

It’s the short female business do and is popular with very dominant women. It’s a short hairstyle that shows the world you are a female and are in control.

Apply styling foam, blow dry for a few minutes leaving the hair still damp. Apply hair wax and style using fingers, twisting and styling however you like. This is also an easy hair style to wear without the blowdrying.

Apply mousse for waves and blowdry upside down scrunching your hair while drying it. Flip your head up and spray with a setting spray.

Perms are out, but one trend that is the hottest in salons is salt spraying. Don’t wash the hair everyday as dirty hair is easier to manage. Get the hair damp and use salt water in a spray to bring out the wavy curls. Since most hair has some sort of natural wave, the sea salt will bring this out and magnify it. Easy hair is all in what you feel comfortable with.If you do have time use a hair straightener, the temperatures do get hot enough to ensure a quick styling.

Till next time Good Luck

niki

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