Special Advice For All Hair Types

Behind every head of hair there is always a sensible hair care program- a routine that take into account basic hair characteristics and uses hair care products developed specifically for their hair type. Discover your hair type and look at the special advice for helpful tips and occasional treats.

NORMAL HAIR:

• Appears strong and healthy.
• Has good body.
• Stays looking freshly washed longer than other hair types.

Special Advice:

This hair can be damaged by being taken for granted. It has a great natural elasticity but still requires conditioning at every shampoo.

DRY HAIR:

• Prone to damage.
• Loses shape and bounce.
• Simply lacks lustre.

Special Advice:

Like dry skin this hair type requires constant nourishment. In addition to regular after shampooing and conditioning give a monthly deep conditioning treatment. After shampooing, apply moisturizing conditioner to the hair, massage in, comb through, wrap in hot damp towel and wait 20-30 minutes. Then rinse.

OILY HAIR:

• Actually feels oily.
• Discourages your efforts by becoming lank and limp soon after shampooing.

Special Advice:

Have your hair cut in one of the latest short style and shampoo as often as you need for a fresh, contemporary look.

DAMAGED HAIR:

• Drab and lifeless.
• No body or bounce.
• Splits and breaks easily.
• Has probably been permed or bleached.

Special Advice

Maintain condition with manageability with conditioner. Treat your hair to a deep conditioning treatment as often as you feel it needs it.

FINE HAIR:

• Flyaway and unmanageable after shampooing.
• Soft and fluffy.
• Lacks body.
• Hard to control
  

Special Advice:

Try to avoid over perming and tinting as this can seriously weaken fine hair. However your hair dresser may recommend a light body wave. Keep your hair trimmed so even edge gives an impression of volume.. Apply mousse for extra body and control.

COMBINATION HAIR:

• Your hair can be a combination of types. i.e oily at the roots with dry brittle ends.
• You probably have shoulder length or longer hair.

Special Advice:

Brush hair gently to distribute oils. Have the ends trimmed regularly to keep splits to minimum.

You And Your Hairdresser

An expertly trained hairdresser is the vital link between how you want to look and how beautiful the everyday result is. You may already go to you hairdresser regularly- with an eye to keeping up-to-date with the latest fashions. Or you may like many women who are very apprehensive about going, yet expect miracles when you do go.

First of all, remember you are an individual. Your hair cut must be geared to the way you live as well as to its texture, color and condition. Nobody wants to be slave to their hair- but some can afford to devote a little more time than others. Discuss all this, including you occupation with your hair dresser.

Don't be afraid to take along a picture of a style you have seen in a magazine or to look through the books in the salon. It may not be the final style but it helps your hairdresser understand what appeals to you.

When you walk out of the salon, you should feel happy with the style you have. But the test of a really good cut is how you can duplicate the look at home and how manageable it is over next 4 to 6 weeks.

To help your hairdresser here are a few tips:

• When you see someone who has a hairstyle you like go up and ask her who cuts her hair. You'll never know if don't ask, and most of the women will be flattered by your asking.
• Call the salon and arrange to drop in for few minutes for a consultation or make your first appointment for shampoo and blow-dry only. You want to get a feel for hairdresser and should have confidence in him or her before committing yourself to a cut. It gives you time to discuss things more thoroughly too.
• Use the hairdresser's expertise to learn how to look after your hair at home. Even if you have never applied mousse or blow-dryer before, you'll wonder, after few practice sessions, how you ever lived without them.
• Try to have little fun with your hair. When choosing a style choose one that can be changed every six months like fashion. Then you will always look beautiful and stay up-to-date.
  

Permanent Waving

Perming is one thing that can actually alter the texture of your hair. A perm can make it bouncier, wavier, curlier. Today's perms are very different from the old-fashioned ones- so you can achieve a really easy-to-manage style and keep your hair in good condition.

Modern permanent waves - cold waves- are based on presses which alter the structure of the keratin inside the hair shaft. The cortex of the hair is where the action of perming takes palce. It is made up of tiny cells packed closely together. They are formed of ''micro fibrils' which are intertwined together by sulphur bonds, all important to the process of perming.

There are two basic stages in perming. The first loosens the sulphur bonds, which form the internal links in the structure. The second joins them together again in a predetermined shape of a wave or curl.

After the hair is shampooed, the perm lotion is applied. This opens the cuticle of hair slightly and some of the sulphur bonds are detached. Hair is then put into a different shape by being wound onto a perm curler. More lotion is applied to the hair and then it's left for the "development" time. During this process, a certain proportion of the sulphur bonds will part. Hydrogen molecules from perm solution "cap" some of the individual sulphur molecules, while rest of the re-align into their new shape. The perm is fully developed when approximately 25 to 30 percent of the bonds have parted.

It is here that accurate timing is vital and the state of the perm must be checked regularly because some hair types will develop more quickly than others. It is also here that the hairdresser's skill is essential for he or she has to recognize the exact amount of curl or movement has been achieved. If the perming solution is left on for insufficient amount of time, for instance the finished perm will be too loose and will drop quickly. If it's left for too long, the perm is "over-processed" and the hair may become fragile and frizzy.

When the perming solution has developed for the right amount of time, the hair is rinsed thoroughly with curlers still in place. The second, and equally important stage in the perming process, then takes place with the application of a neutralizer. What happens is that oxygen released from the neutralizing solution and each atom joins chemically with the two atoms of hydrogen. The action of neutralizer causes sulphur bonds to close together again, allowing the hair to keep the shape it's given by the curlers. The hair is finally rinsed very thoroughly and then it's ready to set, tonged into shape.

Styling Mousse

Do you often have trouble re-creating the style your hairdresser gave you or does your hair need extra fullness and hold without lost of its shine and softness? Then welcome a magical hair care product, mousse. Here is a guide to using it.

Mousse is a hair care product that helps you style your hair while giving extra fullness, lift and hold. Unlike many other styling aids, it leaves your hair with natural softness and shine. It is easy to use. Available in a slim aerosol can, it is simply foamed into the palm of your hand without any mess or fuss, then spread through your after normal shampooing and conditioning. Because it is concentrated 1 can of mousse can be used in many application.

To make an effective use of it begin by shampooing conditioning your hair as usual. It is important to note that mousse doesn't replace your normal conditioning treatment but adds to the overall result of a better, lasting style and good hair grooming. Please note that it can be used also on dry hair.

Always shake the can well before squeezing the nozzle. Then hold the can with the spout pointing downward into your palm as you squeeze out the required amount. Only a small amount mousse is generally needed, depending on a length of your hair.

Work the mousse through your hair, first with your hands. If your hair is of average length you don't need much. Start by applying an amount the size of an egg, adding more if your hair is longer and if your hair needs lift. To add extra style of your choice you can use hair rolls or hairdryer. You can comb thoroughly with brush to gain the sleek look.