Crossing the threshold of forty, many of the fair half though got its second wind – they try on new images, paying more attention to the state of the skin and of course turn to stylists to those recommended hairstyles for women 50 years of age who are relevant today.
For 15 years I wanted to grow locks. My father of Jamaican descent discouraged me because locks were associated with smuggling and smoking “weed”. Back in 1980s’ I was traveling from England and I wore about 300 braids in my hair. My father became ballistic, he was adamant about the way I wore my hair, so I wore weaves instead. I felt out of place for years. To make a long story short, I am now natural and loving it. My hair has a cosmetic touch but with nappy hair. In my research I found wearing my hair natural was more of a calling.
We have adopted the European/old English term of calling Locks “DREAD” in actuality; it’s called the coiling of the hair. Europeans called it “dreadful” as we became aloof on-deck during the middle passage. We have taken the word out of context and continue to use it to mean something good. Continue reading »
There are mixed opinions, some good and some not so good. Some hairdressers advise not to dye locks, and some refuse to do it for you. Dying the hair locks can result in breakage over time because it is really difficult to wash all the dye out, as the hair is very tightly entwined. The dye left in the hair tends to dry and deteriorate the hair over time.
Instead, try a natural solution. Squeeze a few lemons and rub the juice into the dread, then go out in the sun. With some time and dedication you will achieve some lightening results…but it does take time and patience. Continue reading »
No combs or brushes necessary; no wonder she’s smiling.
Starting Out
-Part a section of hair, place the length between your palms and roll the hair between your hands. It will form a cylindrical shape.
-Part a section of hair, then divide that section into two parts. Twist them around each other until you reach the ends.
-Shampoo condition and apply your oils, but do not comb. Shampoo however often you wish, but do not remove the shed hairs. After a while the shed hairs will form masses that you will not be able to untangle.
If you hair texture is tightly curled enough, you shouldn’t need any products to help it lock. If you must use something, choose a light gel or wax.
Basic Styling
During the first six months, you may find your locks hard to control; they may fly everywhere. Eventually they will begin to “drop” and you’ll have more versatility. Locks can be plaited then loosened for a crinkled effect; you can even set them on rollers. Stylist recommend that you avoid shampooing for the first 3 to 4 weeks since water will loosen the locks. You can however cleanse your scalp with cotton pads soaked in witch hazel or a mild astringent, and apply oil as necessary.
Pay Attention To
-The size you make your locks. If they’re too small, they will thin out and break off!
Avoid
Heavy shampoos and conditioners and styling products. Locks are 3-dimensional: they have length, width, and depth. Using heavy products are it difficult to rinse throughly from locks.
Take care of her hair curly, fine. But what’s the point if in the end we can not find a hairstyle that suits us?
- When your hair is still wet, you can braid three or four thick mats attached and let dry.
- For a more delicate curly, it is preferable to use rollers on damp hair. Choose the size of your rolls depending on the desired effect: the more they are smaller, your hair will be curly and vice versa. Continue reading »
My hair has absolutely no volume. I’ve tried to tease it; I blow-dry my hair upside down, and within an hour, it’s back to the way it was — limp. My hair, unfortunately, is straight, and it’s just below the shoulder. Any suggestions?
Answer-
I don’t know what it is. If we have curly hair, we want straight hair. If we’re blessed with straight locks, we yearn for something a little more twisted. Continue reading »
Color-treated hair that isn’t taken care of can often look dull, dry, and unhealthy. This is because the chemicals in hair dyes often damage your hair cuticle beyond repair, leaving the ends broken and the hair shaft itself rough and fragile. It’s not a pretty picture.
The first step is to limit your hair product use to products designed for color-treated hair. These products will contain special intensive moisturizers to hydrate your damaged hair without stripping the color. Start with a good shampoo and conditioner that you can use on a regular basis, then try to use a deep-conditioning hair treatment or mask at least once a week. Massage it into your hair and let it penetrate for about 15 minutes, then rinse, and you’ll notice your locks look instantly revitalized. Redken, Artec, and Clairol all make excellent hair care and hair styling lines designed to keep colored hair in good shape. Continue reading »
The secret to shiny locks is to keep your hair as healthy as possible. Every hair type needs plenty of moisture to stay glossy and light-reflective.
Step 1: Use a shine-enhancing, hydrating shampoo, conditioner, and hair treatment. Try: Freeman Real Shiny Hair Shampoo and Conditioner. An intensive moisturizing hair mask applied once a week, for about 10 minutes, can also dramatically improve the condition of your hair, especially if it’s damaged from being colored. Try: Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm. Continue reading »
Applying hair conditioner is a very important thing that must be done before or after the action of diverse agents for:
Now that summer is here and fresh fruit is abundant, you can make your very own vitamin and protein-rich fruit smoothies for your hair. Following are some fun recipes you can use with your Longhairlovers Professional Organics.
Banana Smoothie Conditioner
to moisturize hair and treat problem scalps
In a blender, combine one well-chopped organic banana with 2 oz. of milk. Add 4 oz. of Longhairlovers Milky Waves Organic Nourishing Conditioner and blend well. Apply to wet hair and scalp, then cover with a heating cap or sit in the sun for up to 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
I have curly hair and have fought it for most of my life, dreaming of blissfully stick-straight tresses. Every morning my routine is determined by the shape of my curls: Matted-down and cockeyed locks require a full sudsing and styling; deflated curls demand refluffing with an arsenal of tools and salves; the day after a professional blow-drying, I avoid humidity at all costs. Continue reading »
Perming and straightening are basically the same process: The hair is reshaped (put around rods or pulled straight with a comb), a reducing agent breaks down certain strong protein bonds (disulfide bonds) in the hair, and a neutralizer re-forms the bonds in the new shape, whether curly or straight. If you think this sounds drastic, you’re right — it’s the most damaging process of all and leaves your hair porous and prone to breakage. In fact, hair-product manufacturers and salon professionals will tell you never to perm or straighten hair that has been double processed or highlighted, and reputable professionals generally advise against using these processes on permanently colored hair.
Hair the color of black licorice was a hot commodity on spring fashion runways from Paris to Toronto.
Before asking your colorist to dye your hair black, make sure you have the proper hair texture and skin tone to carry it off.
“Black hair ue eyes look great with blue/black hair, but people with warmer skin tones can carry off the new brown/black shades.”
To add dimension to black hair, Murphy suggests adding chunky, “synthetic” looking highlights throughout the head. Forget about traditional warm gold or red tones – try splices of slick silver or ash blond instead.
If you do choose to go black, remember the permanence of black hair color. Continue reading »
If summer is stressing out your hair — frequent frizz, limp locks, split ends — you can combat the heat and humidity with these tips from L.A. stylist Michelle Jonietz. “Summer is by far the worst season for hair,” the owner of the posh L Salon says. “Our clients are always complaining that their hair becomes schizophrenic the minute the temperatures climb.”
But, she insists, there are steps you can take to stress-proof your crowning glory. “Summer doesn’t have to be a hair emergency,” she says. Follow her professional advice and your coif will look cool even on the most scorching days.
Problem: Humidity makes your curls go crazy.
Solution: Oil-based products that keep hair under control.
“I hear it all the time, ‘Help, Michelle, my hair looks like I stuck my finger in an electrical socket!’” Jonietz says. “You need to use a styling product that repels humidity and acts as a barrier between your hair and the elements.” She recommends rubbing a dime-sized drop of anti-humectant pommade or oil-based anti-frizz gel into ringlets. “Start at the ends — they need it the most — and work your way up,” she explains.
Beat the Heat
Problem: Heat makes it impossible to set things straight.
Solution: Let it be — naturally.
“Many women with naturally wavy hair use a blowdryer to straighten it all year long,” says Joneitz. “Then comes hot weather, and all your styling efforts disappear the minute you walk out the door.” Instead of working yourself into a sweat over styling, let your hair do what it will, she suggests. “Just spray in a light leave-in conditioner, and don’t touch your hair with a comb or brush,” she says. “Let it air-dry then run fingers through once or twice. The look is soft, sexy and oh-so-simple!”
Problem: Chlorine and salt dry and fry.
Solution: Beware — and take care.
“Before you dive into the pool, wet your hair with a spray bottle of water and comb through a heavy, waxy conditioner,” says Jonietz. Now, when you take the plunge, you’re protected from all those chemicals. “The conditioner acts as a shield, preventing hair from absorbing chlorine or salt which can dry and damage it.” Use a deep-conditioning hair mask once a week and a light conditioner daily. “Look for ones that replenish moisture as well as add protein to strengthen,” she advises.
Let Hair Shine
Problem: Locks look lackluster.
Solution: Products that step up shine.
“Hair can look dry and brittle in summer — almost parched from the sun and water,” Jonietz says. Moisturizers (see above) are your best bet to repair the damage, but in the meantime, you can fake it with a shine-enhancer. “Rub an oil-based laminate into ends,” Jonietz says. “A little — about the size of a dime — will go a long way if you smooth it first between palms.” A spray-on shine enhancer also works wonders. “It coats hair, seals ends, makes hair shimmer and reflects light.”
Problem: Hair falls flat.
Solution: Products with alcohol offer a pick-me-up.
“When you perspire in the heat, your hair becomes oily,” Jonietz says. “It can look stringy instead of your normal bounce and body.” The culprit may also be the oil-based styling product you’re using. “Adding oil to oil is a disaster!” she says. “If you must, use just a dab and only on the ends. Your scalp probably doesn’t need any more.”
Jonietz also suggests switching to an alcohol-based styler — even a hairspray — to absorb the excess oils. “In general, if your hair is limp, then less is more,” she says. “The less you put in your hair, the less weighed down it will be.”
Tame Your Bangs
Problem: Bangs are causing breakouts.
Solution: Sweep ‘em to the side.
Don’t sweat over bangs that seem to be causing skin irritations. “Again, it’s the oil build-up from perspiration,” says Jonietz. “Your bangs are depositing oil on your skin, clogging pores and causing blemishes.” Simply comb bangs back to the side (a side-part is so chic, she says). A pretty bobby pin (rosebuds and rhinestones are hot) keeps them in place. “Not only will your complexion improve but you’ll feel cooler and cleaner.”
Problem: I’ve tried everything and my hair still won’t behave.
Solution: Get creative with accessories!
“There are so many adorable options out there!” insists Jonietz. “Barrettes, combs, clips, headbands all camouflage bad hair days — go for it!” Her favorite look (and one that she uses on celeb clients Lara Flynn Boyle and Pamela Anderson) is a chignon secured with chopsticks. “Comb hair back and off the face and secure with a covered elastic into a low ponytail,” she says. “Twist hair loosely into a knot and hold in place with a pair of chopsticks. What could be cooler?”
Can heat-activated products really make? To find out, we went straight to hair expert Oscar Blandi, owner of the Oscar Blandi Beauty Salon in New York City.
Q. How do heat-activated products protect your locks?
A. They coat the strands with a protective film so the heat of your blow dryer or curling iron won’t burn or dry out the hair shaft.
Q. Do they also aid in styling?
A. Many of these products are formulated to melt and blend out over the hair in reaction to heat. More of the strand is covered, which works to lock a style in place and protect it from humidity. Continue reading »
Can you really grow black hair long? First of all, I just want to answer some common misconceptions about black hair growth, many people still believe funny myths about black hair, let’s take a look at the facts…
1. All Black Women Have Short Curly Hair – True or False?
Geee, if I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard this expression I ‘ld be a RICH woman now. For all those who believe this it’s false! I’m a black woman (African American) and my afro hair is 20 inches long. Continue reading »
For the first year of child rearing, it’s important to create a soft and simple hairstyle that will allow you to spend more time with your baby and less time styling your hair. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you must chop off your long locks. There are many easy ways that you can keep hair that is shoulder length or longer off your face — and away from baby’s eager fingers! Continue reading »
I just had a baby and don’t have a lot of time to spend on my hair. What are some fast, easy styles that I can try?
Answered by Alain Pinon Hair Helper Continue reading »
