Articles about hair care Hair

Food for Hair

The way our hair looks is a direct reflection on our nutrition. If we follow a balanced diet our hair appears soft, shiny and strong; but if the case is to the contrary our hair appears dull, frizzy and weak. We must take into account that if we are healthy on the inside it will also show on the outside.

Our hair not only requires shampoos, conditioners and other products to look attractive, shiny and healthy. Our diet is directly linked to hair health and beauty. Consider the following information for healthy skin, nails and hair.

Protein

Hair is made of protein, so the more protein we eat the healthier our hair will be. Strong healthy hair is less prone to breakage, split ends, damage and dullness. You can find protein in chicken, red meat, oysters, milk and other milk products, soy beans, lentils, nuts and in most veggies.

Vitamins

Consuming the right vitamins is vital to the health of our hair. Certain vitamins and minerals can help prevent hair loss and hair thinning, instead of reaching for those products for hair loss as a first step why not have a look at your diet.

Vitamin C

A rich antioxidant that is excellent for maintaining healthy skin and hair. It can be found in oranges (all citrus), tomatoes, all dark green veggies, onion and avocados.

Vitamin A

An antioxidant which is a great natural protector against aging as in controls the negatives effects of free radicals ( molecules responsible for cellular degeneration). Vitamin A also benefits the sebum in the scalp. This vitamin can be found in eggs, milk, carrots, fish liver oil, broccoli and spinach.

Vitamin B

The B vitamins are the most important for healthy hair. B5 (Pantotheic Acid) gives hair flexibility, strength and shine and helps prevent hair loss and graying. B6 helps prevent dandruff and can be found in cereals, egg yolk and liver. Vitamin B12 helps prevent the loss of hair and can be found in fish, eggs, chicken and milk.

Vitamin E

Combats the free radicals that damage hair structure, preventing hair breakage and loss by enhancing our blood circulation. Food sources include avocado, soy, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, carrot, apples and dried beans.

Vitamin F

Vitamin F is an essential fatty acid that really benefits those with a dry scalp or dandruff. Food sources includes nuts, sunflower seeds and oil, soy and olive oil.

Biotin

Helps strengthen and thicken your nails and hair. Can be used to prevent hair loss and dandruff. Found in egg yolks, milk, kidney, fruits and nuts.

Minerals

Minerals are essential to hair health, these include: calcium, copper, zinc, silica and iron. Minerals and vitamins work together; therefore if there is a deficiency in one of them it is reflected in the other. For example: Vitamin C helps the absorption of iron.

Iron

Without adequate amounts of iron hair follicles don’t receive enough oxygen and the hair becomes weak. Iron can be found in green vegetables and red meat.

Zinc

Helps prevent hair loss. Zinc is associated with protein so if you are eating foods high in protein like most meats, wholegrain cereals, pumpkin seeds, milk and cheese then you are surely receiving adequate amounts of zinc.

Copper

Can help pigmentation (color), prevents hair loss and helps maintain healthy hair texture. Copper can be found in nuts, meats and veggies.

Magnesium

Gives vitality to the hair shaft. Food sources: dried fruits, strawberries, cheese and pears.

Sulfur

Assures the adhesion of keratin (natural protein that strengthens hair). Found in almonds, eggs, milk, garlic and mustard.

Water

Our bodies are mainly made up of water and hair also contains a lot of water (25%). For healthy, shiny hair and all over health it is important to drink a lot of water.

To Go Short or Not

There are many reasons for cutting ones hair short; relationship break-up, birth of a new baby, to get rid of hair damaged by excessive dying and styling or an intense need to make a change. Whatever your reason going from long hair to a short hairstyle is something that requires a lot of thought and consideration. So here are a few things to consider before taking the plunge.

Does Short Hair Suit Everybody?

In theory short hair should suit everyone but in practice pulling off short hairstyles really depends on the individual and how they make it work. There are a few basic rules:

Oval Face Shape:

Basically anything suits this face shape, even a shaved head will look beautiful. Think of Natalie Portman.

Rectangular Face Shape:

Short hair with fullness at the sides of the face instead of the crown of the head will balance a long and slender face .

Round Face Shape:

Add volume to the crown of the head to make the face appear longer, keep sides of the hair shorter.

Square Face Shape:

Keep some long wispy layers around the face to soften the strong facial features. Avoid short hairstyles that are too structured as it can make your features look harsh.

Upkeep of Short Hairstyles

Many think that having a short hairstyle is easier to maintain than long hair. This is not true. With long hair if you are having a bad hair day you can tie it up in a ponytail and be done with it. Short hair requires styling and more regular visits to the salon to keep it looking stylish.

Basic Tips For Looking After Short Hair

• Try to limit the use of heated styling appliances such as the flat iron and hair dryer as they cause stress and damage to the hair giving it an opaque appearance and creating split ends.
• Do not apply hair products to the roots, keep it to the tips to avoid greasy and oily looking hair, after all you don’t want to look like a pirate! Stay away from silicone based products.
• Wash your hair with more frequency as the natural oils will cover your hair making it look oily.
• Protect your hair from the sun using the same sunscreen you use on your body.
• Avoid chlorinated pools as much as possible, especially the first few days after dying your hair.

How to Take Care of your Gorgeous Blonde Hair

Beautiful blonde locks from highlights to platinum blonde hair requires maintenance to keep that brassiness away. Meet your new best friends; toners, silver shampoos and many different hydrating and protein based treatments to add the moisture that the bleach rips away. Following is a compilation of products that are tested and proven to work for your blonde hair to keep it an ash tone as opposed to that dreaded brassiness.

Shiny blonde hair with beautiful tonality requires the right hair products

Toner

• Goldwell 10P toner or Goldwell 10V toner, which one you chose depends on which shade of blonde you prefer. It is quite a good product to keep your hair from going brassy and lasts up to 3 weeks. Your hair must be bleached quite pale to notice the effects of this product. Mixing the Goldwell 10P and the 10V together can also give beautiful results
• Iceflower toning mousse by Schwarzkopf for a platinum blonde produces quite good toning effect and cuts out brassiness
• Ultra White Minx water rinse by Roux
• Napro Live Silver Toner has a very pretty color and lasts about 8 washes. It is a good cheap toner that you can get in most drug stores or supermarkets
• Fudge Paintbox’s ‘Lighter Shade Of Pale’

Tone your hair regularly to keep the brassiness away

Shampoo and Conditioner

• Matrix shampoo- So Silver
• Matrix Earthy Tones conditioning tube- Violet
• KMS blonde shampoo
• Wella Bonacure Silver Reflex
• Alfaparf silver shampoo is very good. A trick with these shampoos is to leave it on for about 20 mins and it will act like a toner.
• De Lorenzo Silver Color Care Shampoo can be used once a week to maintain your perfect blond color
• Paul Mitchell Strength Range is good for bleach damaged hair to restore its strength

Purple Shampoos and Conditioners are great for cutting out brassiness

Treatment

• Redken All Soft
• Redken Smooth Down Butter Treat
• L’Oreal Techni.art Liss Control is great for fine hair
• Paul Mitchell Strength Super Strong Treatment

The right treatments can strengthen your blonde hair

Leave in

Leave in Conditioners can leave dry hair feeling soft and healthy

Masque

• L’Oreal Absolut Repair mask
• Kerastase Masquintense
• Matrix Moisturising Mask

Be kind to your bleached blonde hair and apply an intense treatment masque at least once a week

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