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Monday, May 30, 2011

Hair Accessories Trend for Spring/Summer 2011


If you are not the sorts to get inspired by no-nonsense hair accessories such as hair clips, you are going to like what a lot of designers used to dress up the models on the runway for spring – headbands, fur head gears, tall combs and hats  – they were all there and in abundance too. So get inspired by the runway and adopt a unique style what suits you!


Headbands
Headbands made of various fabrics proved to be a good alternative to the clips. While headbands can be made impromptu of any matching or contrast fabric, what really puts this style at an advantage is that in many cases you can create a stylish alternative yourself using a little imagination to make a one of a kind hair accessory.

Hair styles to wear on –Spring promises to be big on hair left loose – it could be curly, or gelled. The other prominent looks were the top buns, braids, bangs and bobs. Used innovatively, headbands could look great on all hair styles.
How to interpret the look – Different methods of knotting the headband and different places to keep the knot will yield different looks to the same hairstyle. You could tie the headband on top of the head, or on the side or finish it off at the nape. If you are unsure about whether this look will suit you, try having a not so wide fabric headband in colors of your outfit and tie it at the back. You could leave some hair showing from beneath the headband, a la Emilio Pucci look to feel a bit more confident. Once you have tried the look, throw caution to the winds and try out newer methods of tying and use contrast colored hair bands too.
Where to wear – The look is casual, so wear it to after office activities like a movie, an evening out , shopping etc. You could even give the conservative version of this look a try on casual Fridays – just ensure you do not have serious business meetings planned for that day!
Hot tip – pair this look with wide brimmed hats or cat shaped sunglasses to create a unique 70s look. Try heavy eye makeup and nude lips and slept in look to create a bohemian effect. Use minimalistic make up and accessories to create a formal chic look.


Bandanas and Turbans
Promising to take hair accessories to the next level and to bring in newness to their collection many designers used bandanas and turbans on the runway.

Hair styles to wear on – These hair accessories cover the head and so can be practically worn on any hair style – short, bangs, long, loose and curly.
How to interpret the look – I am sure all of you would have tried out bandanas tied at the front of the head, at some point in our lives, not only does it look sporty, it also is a great fashion accessory if you are having a bad hair day!

Bandanas and turbans as used by Ferragamo and Armani which are tied to completely cover your head and sometimes all of your hair, are not for the fashion conservatives as this look is bound to get you noticed. So try out this look, only when you are sure you are willing to move out of your comfort zone and can handle all the glances coming your way! A lot of people consider the look conveyed as masculine, however, with minor innovations such as use of floral prints, lace, jewels, the look can be softened and used effectively. Another good method to soften the look is to wear a smaller sized turban, with hair sometimes showing through to add a touch of beauty and romanticism to the wearer, as was effectively used on the runway by Vena Cava and John Galliano. Good make up is of prime importance to carry off this look as with the hair either completely or partially hidden by the bandana or turban, the face is the main attention point.

Where to wear – Bandanas spell casualness and while it really is a casual look and mostly worn at casual events, the new looks of all covered bandanas and turbans encourage the wearers to let go of their inhibitions and get bolder and wear these looks to formal events as well . You could wear a well prepared turban to a formal sit down dinner or even a red carpet event. A right balance of elements such as flowing fabrics, jewelry, prints interspersed with the boldness of a turban is a great method to stand out and have your own fashion and style statement and represent a very modern look.
This Spring, gather all your guts and wits together to have a signature statement in the form of a well made turban or a bandana!

Hot tip – This spring – search your wardrobe for scarves in prints that you have stopped using – soft floral, animal prints, polka dots , look for gingham checks and stripes – anything is a great idea to be tied on foreheads and use as bandanas. Remember everything matching with each other in the entire outfit is passé. While colors on the entire outfit need to be coordinated, they really do not necessarily need to come from the same fabric yardage! You could let your hair loose, showing from beneath the bandana or completely cover it to look different using the same bandana. Invest in a good turban, made by a professional hair accessory designer. You could add your own quirky elements such as a brooch or a pearl necklace. Last but not the least, don’t forget to wear the look confidently and with loads of attitude!

Monday, May 23, 2011

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 spray...)
Avoid using hair styling products with alcohol which dries out hair.
Avoid putting 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 towel 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.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

5 Ways to Easily Tame Frizzy Hair


Many people have dry, frizzy hair that may seem unmanageable. However, there are several things you can do to tame it. Hair is frizzy because it lacks moisture. When hair is in good condition, the cuticle layers of the hair lay smooth, resulting in shiny, smooth hair. When hair is lacking moisture, the cuticle layers are not as tight together, causing hair to look dull and frizzy. 
Here are a few easy suggestions will help to tame your frizzy hair.
Instructions:
1) Get a good haircut. Your hairstylist should be able to recommend haircuts that will tame frizz. Get your haircut every 6 weeks to avoid split ends--one of the leading causes of frizzy hair.

2) Use moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Shampoo your hair, and then rinse with very cold water. Be sure to rinse for several minutes before applying conditioner. After using conditioner, again rinse your hair with cold water for at least 3 minutes.
3) Purchase a leave-in conditioner. Several product lines offer leave-in conditioner. Apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner, and use your fingers to distribute it through your hair from roots to ends. You can make your own leave-in conditioner by putting 1 part of regular conditioner and 4 parts water into a spray bottle. Spray the homemade conditioning treatment on your hair and style as usual.
4) Air dry your hair. Avoid using a blow dryer if at all possible. Blow drying your hair often can lead to damaged ends and more frizz. If you must blow dry your hair, do it only for a couple minutes after your hair is almost dry. Use a flat iron with Teflon plates to smooth your hair. Flat irons make your hair look shiny and healthy.
5) Deep condition your hair once a week to add more moisture to your hair and help tame the frizz.