Let’s face it. We don’t always have time to wash our hair. Maybe you didn’t hear the alarm clock go off and stayed in bed more than you should, and pheraphs the night before you worked out at the gym and were too exhausted to shampoo your hair when you got home, or you may simple not feel like washing your hair. But you can’t just leave the house with dirty and greasy hair, especially if you have an important date or meeting. So, how can you make your hair look acceptable?

1. Accessorize
If your hair is dirty, you could just hide it under a bandana, scarf or headband. Any hair accessory that covers your hair or just a part of it will do. No one will notice you didn’t have time to wash your hair and you’ll look stylish too.

2. Style it
If your hair is long enough you can style it in a braid. Did you know that’s it actually easier to braid hair when it is dirty? And it only takes five minutes to do. But if braids ain’t your thing, you can always wear your hair in a ponytail or pin it up in a messy bun. These hairstyles will help disguise dirty hair as well.

3. Use Dry Shampoo
It’s always handy to have a dry shampoo at home for emergencies. They contain ingredients, like cornstarch, that can absorb oil and grease, making your hair look (but not feel) clean. Just apply it on your hair sparingly and brush it off.

4. Do you have light hair? You can try powder too
Cheaper options to dry shampoos are baby powder ot talcum powder. However, these work best on blondes or ladies with lighter-coloured hair. If your hair is dark, the powder could be visible and then you will have to shampoo to get it all out. If you wanna give it a go anyway and see if they work for you, do it when you’re just chilling at home and don’t have to go out so that, if your hair looks white, you’ll have plenty of time to wash it.

What do you do when you don’t have time to wash your hair to make it look clean? Share your tips in the comments.

Source: igorms

A while ago, I blogged about how sunscreen in hair care products doesn’t work. These products don’t come with a SPF number so it’s impossible to know how much protection they offer and how long you have to wait before reapplying, and they hardly stay on the hair anyway as they are easily removed with water, combs, brushes and other styling tools.

Still, it is important to protect our hair from the sun, but how are we supposed to do that without sunscreen? Well, to be fair, you could use the same sunscreen you apply for your face or body on your hair, but that would result in a big, gloopy and greasy mess! And who wants that? But what to do then?

1. Wear a hat
The best and most efficient way to protect your hair from the sun is to wear a hat whenever you are outside for a long time. They come in all forms, shapes, sizes and colors (a scarf works too) these days so you’re bound to find one you like. I personally recommend wearing one with a wide brim, which will not only protect your hair but your face too!

2. Wear your hair up or in a ponytail
Another thing you could do is reduce the amount of hair that is exposed to the sun by wearing it up in a bun, in a ponytail or tresses. Any style that won’t exposed too much hair will do. Of course that’s not as effective as wearing a hat, as some hair will still be exposed to the UV rays, but if you really hate hats or aren’t gonna spend too long outside, it will limit the damage.

3. Use conditioner
Sun exposure can cause hair to become dry and brittle, so using conditioner both before and after you spent time in the sun is important to keep your hair soft and moisturized. You can also use a leave-in conditioner while outside to help prevent dryness.

I know most of you will be disappointed as these are pretty basic tips and you probably expected me to reveal some secret ingredient or special product to protect your tresses from the damage UV rays cause but the truth is, the only way to do that is to avoid sun exposure.

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When the temperatures start rising, a lot of people like to head to the pool to hang out with friends, have fun or keep fit. And it’s so good to dive in and cool off when the weather’s so out! Unfortunately, we all know that the water in swimming pools contains chlorine which can dry out not only our skin, but our hair too. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t go swimming. It’s too good an exercise and provides so many benefits that you should still go to your swimming pool. You just have to be careful and follow some easy tips to keep your hair in good condition during and after swimming. But first, you need to know what you need to protect it from:

Chlorine and copper damage hair

Chlorine is a common disinfectant that needs to be present in high levels in swimming pools to sanitize the water and keep it bacteria and virus free. But while this allows a lot to people to swim safely, it also strips moisture from your hair. The result? Hair that’s dry, brittle and prone to split ends and breaking. But that’s not all. Water in swimming pools often have high ph levels and when copper, also present in the water, comes into contact with it, it oxidizes and makes hair turn a very unflattering shade of green!

How to protect hair when swimming

All that doesn’t sound too good but don’t worry. You can still enjoy swimming without your hair having to suffer from it. You just need to protect it. Here’s how:

1. Wear a cap
Swimming caps aren’t very flattering and won’t make you look stylish but they are pretty useful. They protect your hair from getting in contact with the water, so that chlorine won’t damage it. And once you take it off, you’re good to go without having to blowdry or style your hair. Isn’t that a great plus?

2. Wash hair with normal water before swimming
Dry hair has the ability to absorb water quickly but we don’t want it to absorb too much water with chlorine as that will only damage hair. To avoid that from happening, rinse your hair well and thoroughly with normal water. This way, your hair will be saturated with it and won’t absorb too much water with chlorine.

3. Conditioners and oils are your best friends
Another thing you can do before going to the swimming pool is to apply conditioner on your strands. Conditioner coats hair and creates a barrier between your hair and chlorine, keeping your hair moisturized and in good condition. In alternative, you can use either Olive Oil or Coconut Oil. They work just as well as conditioner.

4. Shampoo and condition hair afterwards
Once you get out of the water, wash you hair with clarifying shampoo to get every trace of chlorine and copper out of your hair. Then, apply some conditioner to replenish hair of the moisture it lost and avoid dryness.

How do you protect your hair when you go swimming?

Source: leozaza

I hate blow drying my hair. It’s so boring and tedious and feels like a chore. Not to mention that the heat from the blow dryer can damage hair causing it to become dry and brittle. So, now that the weather’s getting warmer again, I’m starting to get back into the habit of letting my hair air dry whenever I get a chance.

I know a lot of people don’t like the idea of letting hair air dye because it can take too long or they are afraid their hair will get frizzy or flat, but there are ways to avoid those things from happening. And in the meantime, you can also create some natural waves without the help of damaging styling tools. Here’s how:

Speed up drying time

Letting your hair air dry can take a lot of time, but there are a couple of things you can do to speed up the process. First off, blot your hair using a very absorbent towel to soak up and remove excess water. Be gentle and don’t rub your hair. Wet hair is fragile and rubbing it can lead to split ends and frizzy hair. Next, lift hair at the roots and fluff it up with your fingers. This will also help hair dry faster.

Avoid frizzy hair

Together with the long drying time, the tendency of hair to frizz when let air dry is the main reason why most people prefer to use a blow dryer instead. But using the right products, like a good leave-in conditioner or anti-frizz products, will tame your hair, preventing it from becoming frizzy. In addition, these products will also make your hair shiner and softer.

Add volume

If you wanna add some volume to your hair while letting it hair dry, simple comb it with your fingers: lift and fluff hair, placing your strands on the opposite side of your head to where they usually lay. If you have some, you can use condor clips to hold them in this position and, once hair is dry, simply comb it back.

Create natural waves

Creating waves naturally when hair is wet is easy and there are several ways to do it. Start by detangling your hair with a wide-toothed comb. Avoid brushes as wet hair is particularly delicate and vigorous brushing may cause damage. Then, twist the strands in a circular motion and secure it into a bun. Again, use condor clips if you have them to lock the bun in place. Once hair is dry and the clips gone, your hair will be naturally and beautifully wavy. In alternative, you can set each strand of hair into a braid or use rag rollers, sponge rollers or even pin curls instead to achieve the same results.

Do you have any more tips on how to let hair air dry?

Hello everyone,

do you remember what we were talking about this time last year? Here’s a reminder:

Effects Of Smoking On Skin: smoking is one of the worst things you can do to your body. Not only it can cause cancer and other disease (which is a good enough reason to quit!) but it also causes premature aging, bad breath, yellow teeth and more..

Product Review: Barry M Intense Eyeliner Pen: this is one of my favourite eyeliners for several reasons. The color is intense, waterproof and lasts ages even on the waterline. And it’s really cheap too!

Product Review: Bourjois Little Round Pot Blush: this baked blushes are pigmented, inexpensive and long-lasting. They also harden after a while, though.

How to Create Volume for Thin Hair: a few tips on how to give fine and thin hair some volume from hairstylist Giles Levres.

3 Homemade Lip Balm Recipes: 3 simple and easy-to-follow recipes on how you can make lip balm at home.

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Is your hair dull, feels like straw and lacks shine? Is it also unmanageable, tangles easily and is hard to style? If you have answered yes to all these questions, then you have dry hair, a common condition that affects lots of women (and men). Dealing with dry hair can be a pain, but once you understand what causes it, making your hair look good won’t be so difficult anymore.

What causes dry hair?

Dry hair lacks moisture. There are several reasons why this happens. Some people may have fewer sebaceous glandes than normal or their glands may not produce enough sebum, which is hair’s natural moisturizer. Also, hair cuticles may be damaged and porous so that hair isn’t able to retain enough moisture, causing it to become dry.

Overuse of styling tools like blow-dryers, straightening or curling irons, treatments like hair dye or perming, sun damage, frequent shampooing (especially with harsh products) are all factors that can damage hair by depleting it of moisture. But dry hair can also be caused by some diseases or nutritional deficiencies.

How to treat dry hair

Treating dry hair is possible and requires a dual approach: you need to keep your hair well moisturized while avoiding dehydrating activities that will dry hair even more:

Don’t wash your hair too often
Washing dry hair too often, especially if you use harsh products, only makes things worse. If you can, try to wash your hair every couple of days (or at least every other day), with lukewarm water and make sure you use hair care products designed for this hair type. Also, dry hair is very fragile and breaks easily, so lather gently by using your fingertips (not your fingernails!) to rub the scalp.

Bad and Good Shampoo Ingredients for Dry Hair
Avoid shampoos that contain harsh cleansing agents like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and TEA-Lauryl Sulfate that could strip not only dirt and product build-up from your hair but also your natural oil (which is what keeps hair moisturized), and irritating ingredients like Peppermint Oil, Menthol and Spearmint. Instead, opt for moisturizing shampoos that include silicones (like Dimethicone and Cyclopentasiloxane), humectants (like Glycerin, Urea and Sorbitol), or emollients (like Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Shea Butter and Aloe Vera.)

Condition, Condition and Deep Condition
Dry hair needs moisture, so every time you wash your hair, it’s important to apply conditioner after shampoo to restore it. Also, use a deep conditioning treatment about twice a week. You can also apply Olive Oil or Coconut Oil, which have very moisturizing properties, to your hair.

Avoid the heat
Using styling tools like blow-dryers and curling and straightening irons is just asking for trouble if you have dry air. Of course, avoiding to use them is not always possible. Let your hair air dry whenever you have the chance but if you don’t have time, just keep the blow-dryer far away from your head and set it on low levels. As for other styling tools, try to use them only for special occasions and in conjunction with heat protectant products, which contain ingredients like silicones, that will reduce the damage heat causes to hair.

Brush Less
Because dry hair is prone to breakage, it needs to be treated with care. Brushing hair too often, especially when hair is wet, only worsen things: it fractures hair, which then falls out. Boar-bristles brushes are a good choice for those with dry hair because their rubbery tips don’t pull the hair too much. Also, remember that wet hair is extremely fragile and delicate. So, when your hair is wet forget brushes and opt for a comb instead.

Have you got any more tips to deal with dry hair?

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Hello ladies,

fancy a trip down memory lane to see what we were talking about this time last year?  Yes? Good. Let’s get started then and enjoy!

7 ways to wash your hair: did you know that, apart from using regular or dry shampoos, there are other ways to wash your hair? Find out what they are, as well as their pros and cons.

Dark circles: causes and cures: dark circles are ugly-looking areas of pigmentation under your eyes. Find out what causes them and what you can do to remove or hide them.

Interview with Toma from Makeup Masala: last February I’ve had the pleasure to interview Toma from Makeup Masala about her blog, online shop and beauty habits. Click on the link to find out more about this sweet lady.

The Body Shop Nature’s Minerals Foundation SPF 25: a pure mineral makeup foundation that provides light to medium coverage with a natural and long-lasting finish.

22 beautiful uses for vaseline: vaseline is one of my beauty staples. This inexpensive product is very versatile: it moisturizes skin, removes makeup and it can even be used to make your own cream blush.

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Are you tired of your natural hair color and thinking of dying it black? Or maybe you already did it and now hate the result? Black is a beautiful and dramatic color, but dying your hair black at home, especially if your natural shade is much lighter, is not a very good idea. Black hair dye is so saturated that it penetrates deeper into the hair shaft and, because of that, it so much harder to remove.

That’s why, before dying your hair black, you should always consult your stylist and if you can, have it done professionally. If the damage is already done, however, the best thing to do is to wait for your hair to grown out again and then cut it off.

But if that’s not an option for you and you already hate your new hair so much you can’t stand it a minute longer, you can try it and remove the dye, but the process can be long, frustrating and damaging to your hair. Again, your best bet is to go to your salon and let your stylist take care of it, but if your hair is newly dyed, you could try and fix it at home too. Here’s how:

Chemical Color Removers

Chemical Color Removers are special products that remove color from hair without bleaching it. Instead, they shrink the oxidative color molecules present in permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes so that they can be washed out of your hair. Although you can find some of these products at the drugstore, it’s a lot safer to have it done by a professional.

Bleaching

Do not try and bleach your hair at home, especially if you have never done it before. Bleaching can remove black dye, but the process is so harsh, you can end up damaging your hair even more. Bleaching peels away the outer layer of your hair, making it weak and fragile which can lead to thinning and breakage. Not only that, but bleaching can lighten up your hair unevenly, so that you can end up with your strands being of several different hues! Again, if you need to have your hair bleached, always go to the salon and have it done professionally.

Shampoo

The safest, less harming thing you can do at home to remove black hair dye is wash your hair with dandruff or clarifying shampoos. These are harsher than regular shampoos and will strip some color off your hair with every wash. But this method doesn’t work straight away: it may take days or even weeks before all the dye is completely removed from your hair.

How long it will take depends on the type of dye you used (permanent takes the longest to fade), how many times a day/week you wash your hair and how soon you started shampooing after the dye was applied. If you just dyed your hair and decided you don’t like it, you have better chances of removing a lot of the color straight away, which won’t happen if you wait a couple of days.

Keep in mind though that washing your hair often with such harsh shampoos will also strip natural oil from your hair, making your hair dry and brittle. It is very important to always apply conditioner afterwards to avoid that from happening and make sure your hair will remain in good condition.

Have you ever dyed your hair black and regretted it? What did you do about it?

Source: size8jeans