Myth or Fact: Certain Hairstyles Can Cause Hair Loss

There are a number of reasons why hair loss occurs. Generally, the most common causes are heredity, physical stress, emotional stress, medical conditions, poor diet, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and certain medications.

But there are also unusual causes of hair loss and one of these is traction alopecia. This is a condition caused by damage to the follicles due to constant pulling over a long period. There are practices that can inadvertently cause tension to the hair strands. People who are fond of wearing tight braids can experience pulling of the hair and subsequent breakage.

Ponytails and pigtails are the most common hairstyles in wnmen and children. However, care should be taken that the style does not cause significant pull to the roots. Constantly wearing the same type of style on the same area of the head can lead to a bald spot on that specific area.

Cornrows, the traditional African hairstyle wherein the hair is braided very close to the scalp is popular because of its easy maintenance. It is usually left on for several weeks at a time. But if the scalp is not properly managed during this time, it can lead to conditions such as dandruff, itchy scalp, and massive hair fall.

Weaves are becoming increasingly popular in women. This involves adding additional hair to the natural hair with human or synthetic hair to make it appear longer. The synthetic hair can also be attached using hair glue. Hair extensions involve weaving hair strand by strand that can be attached by directly bonding it to the hair or using copper links. Women who continually wear hair weaves are increasingly prone to hair loss.

Dreadlocks, especially popular among males, is essentially encouraging hair to tangle together as it grows. Over time, hair becomes twisted and matted, resulting to a hairstyle known as dreadlocks or dreads. This type of style can cause stress on the scalp and also tug the hair at its roots. The hair follicles become damaged and since dreads are thought to work best on dirty hair, a lot of people develop dandruff and also infections on the scalp that can lead to hair loss.

Inevitably, with the constant stress and pull of these particular hairstyles, the roots become damaged, leading to baldness due to traction alopecia. The tighter the hairstyle is, the more damage it can cause. Also, failure to practice good hair and scalp habits can lead to oil and dirt buildup, another cause of hair loss.

Fun, Flowing Hairstyles for an Autumn Wedding

When choosing the right wedding hairstyle, you have a lot of factors to take into consideration - including the season. An autumn wedding brings to mind cool, comfortable days and a relaxed atmosphere. As a result, many of the top autumn wedding hairstyles are light, flowing and comfortable.

Each bride will need to carefully consider what she wants to say with her hairdo. Do you want it to be bold and striking, or are you looking for a subdued and subtle look? Some brides may choose a style that will compliment the dress while others may decide on a hairstyle that's in stark contrast to the dress. There are no rights or wrongs, just be sure you have a general idea of the feeling you want your hairstyle to convey.

Long hair can be curled into simple waves that flow freely down the bride's back. This simple, youthful and fun look can be achieved by parting the hair straight down the middle, or to the left or to the right, and curling sections of hair with a 1 inch curling iron. Then pin the hair in place, spray with your favorite long-lasting hairspray, and wait for it to dry.

Once it's dry, let your hair down and gently pull and massage the hair until it forms the gentle waves you're looking for. This sweet hairdo is as cute as it is comfortable, and it makes for a muss-free wedding reception as the bride won't need to spend time coddling an intricate updo.

We all know the bun as one of the most classic hairstyles for weddings, but a modern and playful twist can make it a perfect choice for an autumn wedding. Simply style the hair as you would for a bun, but leave the very end of the ponytail tucked out. This will create a relaxed yet elegant look.

As you plan your wedding hair, remember that the style isn't the only thing to think about. Some carefully placed accessories can make or break your wedding hair. For example, you may choose to have delicate jeweled butterflies adorn your hair, which will fit in wonderfully with a woodsy autumn theme.

Of course if you're going to be wearing a veil or tiara, then you must take this into consideration when planning your hairstyle. A tiara looks stunning over a tight and classic updo, while a free and flowing mane can fit in quite well with a veil. When you go to your hairstylist to discuss your wedding hairdo, be sure that you bring the tiara or veil you plan to wear. This will allow them to get the full picture and help you come up with the best look.

The key to choosing the perfect autumn wedding hairstyle is to find a style that shows off your personality, and that makes you feel both comfortable and confident. The above ideas are just a starting point - let your imagination go wild and you will discover the perfect wedding hairstyle for you.

How To Stop Premature Graying Of Hair

Though it is often suggested that gray hair is a sign of wisdom, you may be feeling sad and upset if you have noticed that your locks are starting to lose their original color. Many people want to learn how to stop premature graying of hair, the good news is that it is not impossible. What is required is to understand what the cause is, and take action that should help to delay or bring an end to the process.

At the initial stage it is useful to take a moment to discover the process that leads to graying. When an individual reaches a specific age, the body's production of melanin by cells known as Melanocytes goes into a decline. Melanocytes are found within the follicles present in the scalp and are responsible for pigmentation.

Though it is not possible to stop one's genetic clock, there are various factors that can lead to the early onset of grayness in both men and women. If you are still in your twenties or thirties and are concerned about a loss of pigmentation there is action you can take that should help ensure you still retain some degree of color.

An issue that you should not overlook is stress. If you suffer from a lot of anxiety, be it as a result of problems in your work or personal life, this will have an impact on your physical appearance. Those individuals who experience considerable amounts of stress for a prolonged amount of time are more likely to go gray early on in life. Anxiety can also lead to the thinning and loss of hair.

Other factors that can also lead to the rapid onset of this condition include deficiency in vitamin B12, thyroid disorders, excessive consumption of coffee, alcohol, and tea, smoking, and a high intake of oily or fatty foods. Lifestyle choices have an important role to play in the aging process.

When it comes to trying to prevent or minimize the onset of grayness, there are a number of suggestions that are worth exploring. Diet will have a direct impact, you should try and eat a greater amount of protein rich foods such as whole grains, meat, and soy. Also, food rich in iron can help combat B12 deficiency, this includes leafy green vegetables, yogurt, and tomatoes.

There are various lotions and shampoos which are believed to help slow down the aging of the hair. For example, Amla, coconut oil, and tea tree oil when massaged into the scalp can help promote vitality and the strength of the follicles. What's more, regularly massaging the scalp can improve circulation which also encourages hair to be more healthy.

It is best to avoid shampoos and conditions that contain a lot of chemical ingredients as these may end up causing a lot of harm. Instead, only use those cosmetic products that are made from natural ingredients. Consider that any product you use on your hair will get absorbed into the scalp and can potentially lead to damage.

Hair Styles For Bald Men

Our culture lets men get away with many things. In order to be presentable, all men need to do is shower and smell nice. Men take advantage of this but for some inexplicable reason, when their hair starts to go, vanity takes over.

Bald men take the most incredible paths in order to hide their lack of hair. It doesn't matter if the paths are filled with failure. It doesn't matter if everyone can see through them. For most men, just having a way to hide the baldness, no matter if it doesn't hide anything at all, is a great achievement.

However, looking at these hopeless failures are irritating. Because there are other ways to achieve a great hair style for balding men without looking like a doofus. Here are some ways to do this.

Buzz cut. If a man's hair is thinning, instead of fighting it and looking like a hypocrite, you can do something else. You can try to get to the jump first. Use a buzz cut. Instead of covering your baldness up make it so it doesn't matter. For balding men, this should be their first reaction. A buzz cut hides thinning hair and receding hair lines. Use an electric razor to keep your hair in this cut.

Faux-hawk. Sometimes the celebrities and movie stars have great ideas. This is one of them. The faux-hawk looks sexy. It's popular and it makes you look young again. It's also a great way to hide receding hair lines at the temples. It can also help with thinning hair at the middle but don't overdo it. A comb over is bad enough. A comb over in the style of a faux-hawk is atrocious.

Bald. Embrace your fate. It's not a bad one. Not all men can successfully look good without hair but for those who do, look awesome. Their heads are filled with win. Becoming bald might be scary for some, but becoming ridiculous should be scarier. If your hair is thin and your bald patches can't be hidden any longer, then please just let your hair vanity go. It's not helping raise your coolness factor. A shaved scalp can look suitably badass. Most shaved celebrities have that tough image.

Fringe. Your top is gone. There is no hair on it at all and you weep at the loss. You can't go bald because there is still hair at the edges. Stop whining and make it work for you. Patrick Stewart has the same hair and nobody ever called him a pushover. It's not bad to look like a monk. Remember, monks were badass too and knew kung-fu. Oh wait, those are Shaolin monks and they were bald. European monks simply held the remaining knowledge of civilization in their hands. And they used it to banish the devil along with ignorance.

Don't be afraid of baldness. It might deny you your preferred hair style but it shouldn't deny you from looking good.

Indian Hair Styles for Long Hair

If you are looking to know more about Indian hairstyles for long hair, then you have reached the right place. Here, you will get to know all the information that you need to know about this topic. The quality of hair of Indian women is very good; they are generally very thick and shiny. Indian women like to keep their hair long and take pride in the length of their hair. You can find one that has elaborate steps for making an up do and it can be let loose with as little as a clip or band to fasten it. With long hair, Indian women have the flexibly to style their hair in a variety of ways. They have many options when it comes to styling their hair. Some of them are:

Plait

A plait is definitely the most common type of hairstyle followed by a majority of the Indian women. The main reason for its popularity is the ease with which this hairstyle can be done. This hairstyle is also known as braids. It is generally a formal as well as hassle free hair do. You will spot this hairstyle amongst school going girls. This hairstyle is very neat and gives a very tidy appearance.

The bun

Bun is a very common Indian hairstyle for long hair. The main reason of its popularity is that it is easy to do and it saves a uneasiness due to hot climatic conditions. As India has tropical climate, it is very hot and keeping long hair can become much of a hassle. Buns come to the rescue and it cuts out a lot of heat by keeping the hair high in a bun. Girls usually use flowers and ornamented clips when there are occasions like parties or weddings. And, quite undoubtedly, it looks amazing with a beautiful sari.

Curls

Curls are something that catches the fancy of every Indian woman. They long for loose curls for their hair. For this, they opt for methods like rollers that are heated or even blow drying on brushes that have a round structure. Blow drying method, along with Bobby pins and bands can be used to create amazing and beautiful curls.

Celebrity style

Many girls idolize actresses like Kareena Kapoor and Aishwariya Rai; and, they closely follow the latest hairstyles that the actress of this generation sport. Glamour industry is definitely a great source of inspiration where one can get ample number of ideas. To meet the needs of public, beauty products companies are leaving no stone unturned to lure the customers. Straightening irons and bangs are widely available these days, and they are quite easy to operate as well.

Do Not Forget Your Natural Hair

Wigs have become more popular and known about in today's modern world. Celebrities are wearing them to make sure they look pristine. Ordinary people wear them through personal choice and fashionable reasons are also very common. Nonetheless you must not forget about your natural hair underneath.

In the past wigs were seen as an oddity and people questioned that other than being worn for health reasons, why would you wear one? However in more modern times they are becoming increasingly popular and they do have many benefits. After viewing these you can see why they are on the rise. With the locks you are born with on top of your head, you only get one chance to look after them. If you wear a piece however you can try out crazy styles. These could be something that you would not have dared to carry out on your own hair, just in case it turned out a bit too outrageous.

Many celebrities today wear them to red carpet events and during music videos and you cannot tell the difference. With the recent demand in these pieces you can tell that the quality has improved. When pop stars from years ago used to wear fake dos it would be quite funny. You could blatantly tell that they were not real, and they did not look good because of this. However today quality has soared and you can sometimes no longer tell who is wearing accessories or who has their natural locks on display.

If you want to purchase a wig or already own one, you must spare a thought for your natural tresses underneath. Keeping your own cared for and tidy underneath is essential. Even though wearing a piece can be seen as a cover up, it does not mean you can forget what is underneath. You must still regularly wash your own hair as well as your hair-piece. You must also take care when drying it as you cannot just leave it to dry naturally when you want to put it on straight away. Blow drying it so it is completely free from moisture is necessary to keep both hair and wig clean.

Once your hair is dry people can get a bit confused as to where you go from here. The next step is how*to keep your own tresses neat. It can be quite tricky at first; trying to make sure it is not bumping up on the top of your head or that loose strands are left sticking out giving away your accessory. One of the best solutions is to braid it so it can be kept tight and as flat as possible. You must make sure not to just bunch it underneath as it could cause your natural strands to break and also your wig may fall off this way.

Following simple steps at first will mean that wearing a wig regularly will become easy. You can purchase a number of already cut and coloured varieties, or experiment to create your own style. You can buy expensive or cheap choices also, so if something goes wrong it does not matter. You can have fun and make a style that you may end up wanting to create permanently.

History of Mohawk Hair Styles

The history of the Mohawk is rich in its culture. There have been numerous eras where the Mohawk has been popular and there have been numerous cultures and groups of individuals who have found the Mohawk to be a wonderful style to use on a regular basis. History of Mohawk accounts are fairly unique when compared to the history of other haircuts used in the world.

There have been some extremely ancient examples of the Mohawk, but there has not been very much evidence uncovered that states this haircut was popular in the world before the Mohawk Indians. Many Indian groups used this type of haircut, and there are even legends involving Daniel Boon receiving a nontraditional haircut shaped in the Mohawk style.

The first real, true and documented, uses of the Mohawk includes paratroopers in World War II. These paratroopers generally did not have very long to live. Also, to go along with their wild nature and outlook on their future, they also did not care about their hairstyles or what people might think of their hairstyles. This was truly the beginning of the basic essence of those who wear this type of haircut today.

Mohawks caught on in popular culture around the 1960's. There were not an extremely large amount of people, nor were there many groups that attached to the style for very long, but there was a group that was large enough to be noticed using this style. They too were a part of a crowd that created their own rules when it came to styles and laws.

This styled haircut later became incredibly popular around the world as more TV stars and movie actors portrayed the cut to the public. Once the famous people of the world started to represent the Mohawk, many people started to believe in its lively nature themselves.

It wasn't until around the 80's that the Mohawk truly became its own hair style domain. Now, you can see people with this cut and you know exactly what they represent, a world with no rules or boundaries. Today, many people respect the Mohawk, but there are not that many people who will implement the effort and devotion that is required to maintain this extreme hair style. As you can see, the history of Mohawk haircuts includes many people who have a different view on life. Many people who wear this haircut do not follow the mainstream attitudes that most people follow, and you can see this in the haircut they display to the world on a regular basis.

Temporary Hair Dye

Temporary hair dye as the name suggests is temporary and washable, most often used to colour or highlight hair for special occasions and is often used in unusual shades, such as bright pink, punk blue, red, green or even striking gold or yellow, for events and exciting parties. Unlike permanent hair dye, temporary hair dye is usually easily removed with a single shampoo, as the original hair color and structure is not altered.

Patrons love it as it allows them to express themselves in very creative ways, and yet, not having to worry about what the boss would say when they report back to work the next day, especially if their work requires formality and seriousness, for example, in industries such as banking, law, medicine or financial consultancy. For teenagers, it is a great way to experiment with various weird and funky hair color without permanent damage to their hair, and without having to endure continuous nagging about it from their parents!

As for entertainers, it is a vital tool in their make-up and entertainment gear, essential to add a touch of brilliance to their costumes. Vibrant colors such as red or yellow hair are excellent for clowns, and a myriad of other colors for singers or band performers. It has become part of the wardrobe of entertainers who have to change the color of their hair to match their costumes on a frequent basis.

This group of hair dye usually comes in convenient forms of application, such as shampoos, rinses, gels, sprays and foams. It is effective immediately and there is no waiting time for the color to develop. If you buy those that come in the form of gels, sprays or foams, it can be applied as the final touch up just before the party.

This easily washable factor in temporary hair dye is due to the fact that its pigment molecules are large, and thus, they are unable to penetrate the cuticle layer of the hair. The pigment molecules remain as add-ons or rather, merely closely adhere to the hair strands without being absorbed into the hair shaft itself. This makes it easily removable with warm water and shampoo.

However, if the user's hair is excessively damaged or dry, the temporary hair dye may persist, as the damaged hair may allow for migration of the dye pigments to the interior of the hair shaft despite the size of the pigments.

7 Common Myths About Hair Loss in Women

Are you curious to find out which of the common women's hair loss myths are false? Check out this informative list as we debunk the fact from the fiction!

Myth #1

Hair styling including hair washing and blow-drying will make you go bald.

Wrong! Over-styling of the hair can lead to decrease in quality such as causing it to become dry or brittle, it will NOT cause you to go bald. Also note that when used as directed, coloring and styling products do not affect if you will lose your hair either. So style away!

Myth #2

You should pluck out gray hairs in order to get more hair to grow in their place.

Wrong! People actually think that if you spot a gray hair on your head, that you should pluck it out immediately because the space left in the follicle will allow two hairs to grow back in its place. If this myth were true, Dr. Phil would have a full head of hair.

Myth #3

Losing 100 hairs a day is excessive.

Wrong! Actually, the average amount of hairs a person loses each day is between 100 and 150! Have you ever tried counting all of them left in the wash basin after your shower? If you had a nickel for every one of those...

Myth #4

The loss of hair genetic pre-disposition comes from your mother's side of the family.

Wrong! Since hair loss attributed to genetic causes is an inheritable trait, you have a chance to inherit this trait from either of your parents. Hair quality is passed down an equal-opportunity fashion!

Myth #5

You should brush your hair instead of combing because it will stimulate your follicle growth and is better for your hair.

Wrong! While it may be true that combing your hair is less harsh on it than brushing because it will cause less damage by breakage or split ends, neither brushing nor combing will make you lose or regrow your hair!

Myth #6

DHT is the only thing that will make you lose your hair.

Wrong! The production of the hormone DHT is the leading cause of hair loss in men and women, however, it is NOT the only cause of hair loss. There are MANY other causes of hair loss including trauma to the body like pregnancy or emotional or physical stress, certain medications, cancer therapies, psychological disorders, certain hairstyles including cornrows and weaves, diseases, nutritional deficiencies and even dandruff!

Myth #7

If you don't treat or get rid of your split ends, you'll go bald!

Wrong! Splits ends have nothing to do with hair loss or balding. However, you should care for them and treat them anyhow as they do have an effect on the overall health of the hair including its appearance.

How to Curl Hair

The shape of somebody's hair is determined by the shape of the hair follicle and the hair shaft. Some people have straight hair, some are gifted with soft waves and some have curly hair. Let's face it, things like these help to make individuals special. We all have various hair kinds just like anything else on our bodies. There comes a time when we need a change in our image and particularly our hairdos. It is only natural for women particularly to want to change their hairstyle. For women who are not blessed with curly locks, it is difficult to get those little rings in the hair that they want so badly. They go to extremities to achieve curly hair sometimes with success, at other times its nothing but a waste of time. Here are some procedures of acquiring curly hair:

1. Using Rollers

Materials:
Rollers
Mousse

Tools:
Blow Dryer
Comb

Directions:

After washing your hair blow dry in sections combing the hair during the procedure. Blow dry until the majority of the water in the hair has been eliminated. Do not over dry.

Apply mousse in the palm of your hands and rub into your hair. Comb through for even distribution.

Divide the hair in small segments. Select the size rollers that you want based on the type of curls you want. Small rollers will give you tight curls while larger rollers will create soft, bouncy curls.

Roll each small segment on a roller all the way to roots and snap on the cover. Repeat until all the hair has been wrapped on rollers. Leave overnight or sit under a dryer until dry.

Tips: There are different types of rollers you my use to curl your hair. There are hot rollers that can be used on dry hair or wet hair. They work faster and are less time consuming. There are also foam rollers that are very user friendly and most notably, they are quite comfortable to sleep in if you wear your rollers overnight. There are also flexible rollers that can bend at any position. These create curls that are small and tight.

2. Using a Curling Iron

Materials:
Holding Spray
Tail comb
Mousse
Clips

Tools:
Blow Dryer
Curling iron

Directions:

Apply mousse to the hair and rub in for equal allotment.

Use tail comb to separate small sections and spray with holding spray. Use clips to hold the other portions away from the part you are working on. Wind the small section around the curling iron straight to the root.

Hold the curling iron on the hair for a while then unwind it.

Repeat until all the hair has been curled. Spray with holding spray and your curly style is finished!

Tip:When using a curling iron be cautious not to hold it too close to the skin or enable it to contact the skin as it will result in burns.

3. Using a Flat Iron - this might sound rather odd but a flat iron can create great curls

Materials:
Mousse
Holding spray

Tools:

Flat iron (preferably a slim one like 1 ½ inches.)
Comb

Instructions:

Squeeze mousse in your hand and rub in your hair.

Use comb to part a small portion of hair and clamp halfway with the flat iron.

Turn the flat iron 1 ½ times in the way you choose to curl the hair.

Draw the flat iron through the hair meanwhile still clamped on the hair and release the curl.

Spray with holding spray for longer hold and shine.

Curly Hair Style Advice

Women with tresses that curve, wave or spiral can often be heard lamenting their hair - naturally curling tresses are prone to dryness, frizz and split ends, and tends to 'poof' out in poodle-emulating bigness. However, there are methods to nullify these irritating qualities. This article contains advice on how to maximize your curly hair style and rock out those gorgeous curls to great effect.

Moisturizing and Conditioning: Since curls tend to be dry, conditioning your tresses regularly is crucial, so never skip out on it, and stay away from the many two-in-one products available. Squeeze out (avoid wringing) excess moisture after shampooing, then apply the conditioner thoroughly from root to tip. Do not rinse out the conditioner too soon, and add five minutes or so to the wait indicated by the directions on the bottle. Deep conditioning once a week is highly recommended.

A wide-toothed comb is a great tool to use to spread conditioner evenly through your locks and the gentle combing action helps to smooth the cuticle. Work out tangles and knots gently, never trying to just comb through them, as this can damage the cuticle, break the shaft and cause unsightly split-ends. When you rinse, use water as cool as you can stand - the cold smooths the cuticle, which helps minimize frizz and flyaway fluffiness.

Products: Ensure that the products you use are made for your type of hair and the type of styling you prefer. Choose serums that contain silicone - look for 'dimethicone' on the bottle. Opt for salon-quality products if you can - they may be more expensive, but they tend to have better results. Avoid mousses and strong-hold hairsprays as they can dry out your hair and scalp.

After Washing: Make sure you always have a good leave-in conditioner in your bathroom cabinet, and apply it liberally to your damp locks after every wash, especially to the ends. Next, apply a serum, coating every curl. This, in conjunction with weekly deep conditioning, should eliminate frizz.

Drying: Air drying generally is the best bet. If your mop is particularly unruly, tie or clip it back while wet to give you a smoother crown above your rioting, frizz-less, curls once dry. A broad ballet headband can also be handy. Depending on your curl pattern and the length and thickness of your hair, drying your hair in a loose braid can have great results once dry.

Hairdryers can damage curly tresses fairly easily, so if you wish to use one, be careful to keep the heat setting low, and use a diffuser attachment, aiming up from below while gently scrunching your curls as they dry.

Cut and Style: Curly locks should be cut in layers, to avoid that triangle look. Make sure your stylist is comfortable and experienced with cutting curls. This is especially true if you are looking for a shorter cut, as not all curl-types are suitable for shorter styles. Throw away your brush, and stick to wide-toothed combs or to finger-combing. It is a good rule to only comb when conditioning and finger-style the rest of the time.

A quick foray on the web will show hundreds of great styles for curly tresses, favorites being the loose messy bun, half-up half-down, and up-styles of every shape. One*thing is for certain: the romance and femininity of the curly hair style is here to stay, so embrace your crowning glory.

Hair Care Tips For Dry Hair

There are many causes of dry, frizzy and brittle hair. The sun and humidity, both are responsible for damaging your hair. Some other responsible factors are environmental exposure and lack of sebum production.

If you are with natural wavy, curly, or chemical treated hair then you need to give your hair some extra doses of nutrition and moisture. Try to use a good quality hair protection sunscreen with highest sun protection factor, if you are lining in hot, sunny or arid climates. Here is one great remedy for those who want silky and manageable lock. Take 6 ounces sesame or soy oil and add 6 drops each of lavender, bay and sandalwood essential.

After making your mixture, divide your hair into one-inch sections and apply the mixture to the scalp with the help of cotton. Use towel to wrap your head. Leave it on for at least 15 minutes and rinse it off with shampoo and water.

If you are suffering from brittle hair problem then try to avoid alkaline or alcohol based shampoos. One of the best remedy for your tresses is to protect them from the sun and heat appliances as, because they are the biggest contributing factors. If you are suffering form split ends problem then try to go for a trimming on a regular basis. Aside from that, try to use a good quality leave-in conditioner frequently and deep conditioner at least once a week.

Use a swimming cap in order to protect your tresses from chlorine and do not forget to rinse before and after going into a pool. This action will help you to protect your locks from chlorine by minimizing its absorption. Lastly, try to drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet by including plenty of good proteins, fats and carbohydrates in to your diet menu. Vitamins A, C, E, and calcium are all good for treating dry hair.

Prom Hairstyles For 2012

Prom is a very special occasion for boys and girls today and making sure you look fabulous can take a little bit of research to make sure you are up to date with the trends. Before spring even arrives you will see dozens of different prom related hairstyle magazines on the stands ready to give you the best and most unique hairstyle ideas to help make your prom a night to remember. Check out these different suggestions below and see if they match your hair personality.

• Every girl loves to have their hair done in an up-do and today there are many different ways to do this. Whether you have long or short hair you can still make your hairstyle appear like an up-do even if it actually is not! Curls and waves are very popular right now and a great idea for your prom hairstyle is to curl your hair, whether it is short or long and collect all the curls at the back of your hair in a tussled yet controlled up-do.
• Long and natural is one of the trends of 2012 and if you have long hair you can take advantage of this new trend. You have two choices, you can curl every inch of your hair into distinctive ringlets or you can curl only the bottom of your hair so the curls naturally attract together at the ends of your hair, the rest of your hair being straight. Both of these are very elegant looks and can greatly compliment any young girl.
• The French twist has only been a blassic up-do look for women of any age. This is a very classy and elegant hairstyle to wear to your prom.
• If you are looking for something a bit more unique and perhaps extravagant, you will find that messy hairstyles are very popular this year and prom is the best place to try them out! Between you and your chosen hairstylist you should be able to take the simple concept of the French twist or the bun and create something a bit messy but controlled at the same time.

2012 offers a wide variety of different prom hairstyles which can accommodate long or short hair lengths so everyone gets a chance to be stylish and trendy for their prom night. During your prom hairstyle hunt you will find that the perfect accessories can really make or break your chosen hairstyle. You can choose from flowers, ribbons, hair bands, barrettes, jewels, sparkles and more. No mater what your accessory preference is you can be sure they sell it!

Make sure and book your appointment early with your hairstylist because every girl in your area is looking to do the same thing! If you find by the time your prom does arrive, you have not decided on the right hairstyle for you, it is not a big deal because your hairstylist has no doubt done thousands of different prom hairstyles and can suggest the best hairstyle to compliment your facial shape and your personal preferences as well.

Best Looking Prom Hairstyles for Your Big Night

Prom hairstyles are filled with glamour. Prom hairstyles are part of the many things that can make your prom preparation stressful along with your dress, jewelry and make up. Between choosing which dress to wear along with what kind of jewelry and makeup, not to mention the shoes, your prom hairstyle is going to have to find it's place to fit in. Proms can also be expensive. In fact, some teens spend more on their hair than any other wardrobe element. When picking a prom hairstyle, it's important to consider, not only the shape of your face, but of the body too as well as the kind of dress you will be wearing. It's best to schedule an appointment several weeks in advance with your hair styler as spots tend to fill up quick.

You could also try an elegant french twist or a braid for a new interesting look. Young women with long prom hair might have more trouble taking good care of the long locks but have a different choices for hairstyles. Longer hair can be worn with curls, waves, or sleek to produce varying hairstyles. Longer hair can also be worn in the very popular updos and chignons. For girls with short hair, there are not as many options as with medium and longer hair lengths but there are plenty of short hairstyles that offer cute ambience and become a viable pieces for the prom. Depending on the length of the short cut, there are a variety of hairstyles that some women will find very complimentary. Teens with medium hair length have many alternatives when it comes to stylish, elegant hairstyles.

Prom Hairstyles Tips

1. Do not make drastic hairstyle changes before prom.

2. Apply a moisture enhancing leave in product.

3. Apply your mascara carefully - avoid "clumping".

4. Manage hair by using effective hair care products and getting regular hair trims to keep split ends.

5. If you use shadow or pencil on your eyes, try an angled bush to get that smudged, smoky look.

6. Start by shampooing your strands with a curl enhancing, moisturizing product.

Various Prom Hairstyles For Short Hair

Generally, women prefer maintaining long hair. However, this tradition is being broken by many women who have started sporting short hair. They have even started using various prom hairstyles for short hair at the prom parties so as to generate a unique look. Elegance is not the domain of long hair and you can still look gorgeous while maintaining short hair. For prom hairstyles for short hair, you would need to contact a hair style expert who can guide you about various such hairstyles which suit your personality.

You can use such prom hairstyles for short hair which accentuate your looks. The hairstyle should go along well with the shape of your face so as to avoid looking odd. You can take help of the hair style expert who can use various software tools to decide which hairstyle would sit you. He or she would take your picture and show how you would look with a particular hair style.

This is very important as you would know in advance how you will look after sporting a particular hairstyle. This will avoid any kind of embarrassment later on regarding your hairstyle. You can even take help of a friend to decide whether a particular design would suit you or not. You can even take help of various style magazines which have a lot of tips about every type of hair. Such magazines help their customers by answering to their queries regarding different hairstyles.

You can even take help from various websites. At such websites, you can check various available designs that can be sported with short hair. You can even show such pictures to your hair styling expert who can tell you their merits and demerits on the spot. Thus, you can take a decision on the basis of his or her advice. However, you would need to spend some time while searching for various designs. You can even take help from various individuals at some public forums.

Choosing The Right Hair Treatment Product

Hair treatment serves to provide a wide range of beauty and therapeutic solutions for the hair-conscious consumers. People suffering from hair loss can look forward to hair care for a remedy. This treatment for appearance-conscious consumers who want to color their gray locks. If your hair is coarse and feels dry, go for hair treatments that address your need for a soft and moisturized hair.

Expectations for healthy and beautiful hair have driven more people to demand for better hair treatment options and products. People who are beleaguered by hair loss, gray hair and etc are also in great need for miracle hair care product. This has fueled the production of a vast multitude of hair care products on the shelves. Here comes the next question: How do you choose the best hair treatment?

Hair treatment products consist of different ingredients, ranging from drugs, chemicals, fragrance to preservatives. Exposure to non-natural products always comes with certain risks. You may be allergic to parabens and develop rashes and swelling after using these products. Or you may be unable to tolerate the overpowering effect of certain products, due to the high amount of its active ingredient, causing you to experience side effects. Therefore, it is best for you to scan through the labels before making a purchase.

Do not be guinea pigs when selecting hair treatment products. You need to ensure that the claims made by the manufacturer are reliable and true. Confirm that the products come with proven efficacy before you get your hands on any new products. Look for products with established brands as they are more likely to offer you safe and effective hair solutions than other brands which are less heard of.

Know your budget before buying any hair treatment products. Branded products may have equal properties as cheaper products, therefore do not set your eyes on popular products only. Get the best value from your purchase. Compare between products that satisfy your needs and pick the most cost-saving product.

Protein Hair Treatment for Black Hair

Healthy hair is beautiful hair, but just conditioning is sometimes not enough. That is where protein treatments come into play, they can be very helpful. Can these treatments really help make you hair stronger and healthier, or are they just a myth? The answers is both yes and no, let us explain. For the right person a protein treatment can be very helpful, and make a huge difference in your hair.

If you use chemicals on your hair, extreme heat or color then a protein treatment should help you. It does this be replacing all of the moisture and proteins that were lost by these treatments. If you have natural untouched hair protein treatments can help you, but probably not as much.

Protein treatments are good for black hair and can quickly make a huge difference for the right person. Most women damage their hair by their everyday habits like using a flat iron or relaxer, these treatments can damage the hair. Treatments can help repair damaged areas helping the hair break less and grow longer, which makes hair healthy.

One good thing about protein treatments are that you can do them once a month or once every few weeks. They do not have to be done daily. Your hair will tell you when you need a protein treatment. If your hair is dull and breaks easily or feels rough and coarse then you need a treatment.

If it is falling out fast or breaking every time you touch it then you need a protein conditioner. In extreme cases your hair can actually thin due to lack of protein. Stick to essential proteins like silk or soy. These proteins are very beneficial to your hair and they do a good job at repairing breaks in the shaft.

You want a protein that will actually help rebuild your hair while fixing weak areas. If your hair is breaking off very badly think about using a protein conditioner with a vitamin and mineral shampoo. This will help supplement the protein and keep your hair healthy and strong.

Protein hair treatments can help all hair types and styles, but should not be used anymore than once every few weeks at the most. They help stop breakage and help your hair grow faster and stronger. A good protein conditioner will not only help strengthen the hair shaft but stop breakage and leave your hair soft and shiny.

Henna Hair Color

For those of you who aren't familiar with this natural dye, henna is a kind of plant. Its leaves have been dried, ground, and used as a dye for the skin and hair for thousands of years in India and the Middle East. In its purest form, henna for hair will usually leave a rich, reddish brown color. Henna hair dye or henna hair color penetrates the hair shaft and permanently stains it, but the color can degrade with frequent washing and may need touchups.

Is Henna Hair Dye Commercially Available?

In western countries like the United States, a little snooping might be in order. Since this particular kind of hair coloring product is plant-derived and mostly chemical free, usually, your best bet would be to check out health food and beauty supply stores.

They're also readily available online. If you're looking for pre-mixed concoctions, there's a good chance that you might also find one or two brands of henna hair color in supermarkets as well.

Does Henna Come in Other Colors?

Pure henna, made from the henna plant with the scientific name Lawsonia inermis, is called "red henna," and may leave a rich, red-brown color. If mixed with other plant derivatives, you can get all kinds of different shades while still keeping your dye job completely natural. If your henna hair dye also has indigo -which is sometimes also called "black henna"- in it for example, you can get shades ranging from rich dark brown, to jet black.

Other natural substances that henna hair color can have, or which you can try mixing into your own personal henna mix are cassia ("neutral henna"), tea, coffee, paprika, turmeric, lemon juice, and a lot of others.

Of course, your natural hair color will have a big impact on how your henna hair color job will ultimately look; if you're very dark-haired and want to go blonde, for example, you'll really need to get your hair chemically lightened first.

Hair dyes made from plant products can't lighten hair very much. Other than that, if you're open minded, willing to experiment a bit, and won't mind snooping around the internet for recipes for henna hair color mixes, you can get just about any color imaginable; from blond, to red, to deepest black.

Some Warnings When Buying Henna

Indigo and cassia may be all-natural ingredients, but be careful about "fake" henna products and some of the other additives that some pre-mixed henna hair dyes might have. For example, some products touted as "black henna" might not be from the indigo plant, but can contain a jet black dye called para-phenylenediamine, or PPD.

This synthetic substance stains fast and deep, but it can also cause severe allergic reactions that can make a person permanently sensitive to certain dyes and chemicals.

There are also some mixes that might contain adulterants like silver nitrate, nickel, and carmine, which can all cause allergic reactions or heavy metal poisoning. While such mixes are considered illegal by the United States FDA, it's still a really good idea to watch out, because not all henna products will have accurate or even truthful labeling.

What Are The Benefits of Using Henna?

Fakes and impure mixtures aside, henna is an all-natural product, and even though most hair dying products tend to damage hair, the opposite is actually true for henna. Henna for hair will usually leave your hair feeling thicker and smoother and henna hair dye can actually help relieve conditions like dandruff, head lice, and ringworm.

Henna hair color will usually also make your hair stronger and less prone to breakage. So, if you want to try something else for your hair coloring regimen, henna's a really great way to go.

Hair Coloring Techniques

Hair colors are soluble substances or liquid preparations used for staining, highlighting or tinting hairs. Different hair colors added or subtracted from the normal hair color gives various hues and shades.

A French chemist Eugene Scheuller created the first hair coloring in 1909, based on a chemical called paraphenylenediamine. Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia are the main ingredients of any hair-coloring agents. Hydrogen peroxide creates a color that lasts long and ammonia when combined with hydrogen peroxide allows the color to permeate into the cortex.

Selecting the best shade or highlights depends on various factors. It completely depends on facial shape, complexion, haircut, facial expression, eye color, hair length, as well as personal taste. These colors can be various shades and intensity. Depending on intensity or tone colors can be warm or cool. Warm tones are shades of oranges, reds and yellows and cool tones are shades of blues, violets and greens. People who are cool should not use warm tones because that might lower down their features. The best shades for cool people are purple orchid hues, burgundy and lipstick red. People who are warm by nature should preferably use simple gold highlights and golden blondes. Cool tones suit the people with olive complexion and a medium complexion with no pink to a faint pink at the cheeks. Warm skin types include individuals with medium brown skin with pink or gold undertones. Selecting a warm or cool tone also depends on the eye color. Cool eye colors are deep brown, gray blur and dark blue and warm eye colors are golden brown, green and hazel. These days even chart of hair colors are available in the market. These hair color charts can be used as guide to assist in color selection.

Different skin color also demands different colors to give a perfect look. Some hair coloring tips for different types of skins are as follows:

o Chocolate brown, dark blonde and bronze shades look good on natural toned complexions.

o Virgin dark brown color suits best to blonde skin.

o Brunette or rich red looks great on very fair complexion.

o For dark skin types black color is most preferred one.

Various hair dye colors are used for different hair coloring styles or methods depending on the features and personal taste. Different types of hair colors are:
Temporary colors neither contain peroxide nor ammonia. It coats only the cuticle and the color fades after one shampoo.

Semi permanent colors are used specifically for those who have 20% of gray hairs. These colors blend with the hairs naturally and fade after a week or a month.

Demi permanent colors comprises of low volume of peroxide but no ammonia. These are also used for blending away gray and last for about two months or even more.
Permanent colors are colors with peroxide as well as ammonia. These colors last long and require applying every 4-6 weeks. Permanent colors are deposited in the cortex.

Hair coloring and hair highlighting are the most common trends amongst Indian males and females, irrespective of their ages. Hair coloring is coloring the entire hair and hair highlighting is simply highlighting few strands. The highlighted shades are usually bright and have a metallic tint. hair highlights are usually added to base color to give dimension and depth. Different shades are used for different types of hair base colors. There are number of shades that look the best on light base color but highlight colors for dark hairs are very selective and needs more care. Dark color hair requires the initial use of bleach to prevent dryness.

In the 1980s funky hair colors like Duran Duran and flock of Seagulls were very popular and the trend is now coming back once again. Individuals also apply electric blue and fluorescent colors of orange and green to look funky and stunning.

Artificial colors can prove to be harmful for natural hairs. To avoid the harmful effects of these colors and bring back the original texture after highlighting and coloring, following hair-coloring advices should be considered:

o When using the colors for the first time, try coloring the crown where hairs are the darkest.

o Condition your hair regularly to nullify the effects of heat.

o Hair ends are porous and colors fade quickly, so apply a shade darker at the ends.

o Color your hair only when they are fully dry.

o Shampoo gently with a shampoo especially for color treated hairs.

o Condition regularly with good conditioner.

o Don't brush your hair when wet.

o Don't apply lemon juice in your hair.

Stylish Hair Coloring

Thick, long, beautiful and shining hair makes any woman look stunning and gorgeous. There is no wonder that from time immemorial poets and authors have praised the curls of their heroines and leading ladies. Indeed there is nothing like a thick, bouncy soft and shining hair. Earlier however women used to take care of their hair and concentrate on making it soft, shining and lustrous. There was not much of a concept of changing of the natural color of hair. A woman with black hair is to admire the red-haired beauty and heave a sigh or maybe a woman with red hair admire the blonde hair of another and feel jealous.

Keeping in mind these sighs and admirations hair stylists and hair experts raked their brain and come up with an extremely convenient solution which allowed women to get the color of hair they want no matter what color of hair they are born with. Indeed in the present time there are numerous hair colors that are available in the market which are quite easy to apply and also of good quality so that the hair does not get damaged.

Some time earlier also when the hair colors was getting introduced in the market then they were not very easy to apply and thus women required to visit the salons to get their hair colored to the shade of their desire. However with the passage of time and advancement of the cosmetic industry hair colors are now easily available at market in a form which can easily be applied at home.

It is said that a French chemist Eugene Scheuller created the first hair color based on a chemical called paraphenylenediamine. In the present time hydrogen peroxide and ammonia are the basic ingredients of any hair-coloring agents. While hydrogen peroxide creates a color that lasts long, ammonia when combined with hydrogen peroxide allows the color to permeate into the cortex. Following this basic formula many branded cosmetic companies have come up with such a wide variety of colors that now it has become difficult for women to choose which color to go for.

Indeed selecting the best color that would enhance one's beauty depends on numerous factors like the shape of the face, complexion, haircut, eye color, hair length, as well as personal likes and dislikes. The tone of the colors can be warm or cool depending on the intensity of the color and its shade. The warm tones of colors are those like orange, red and yellow while the cool tones of colors are like blue, violet or green.

The color of the complexion plays a major role while selecting the hair color. There are some shades of color which suits a particular skin color while there are some that look good on another. One should keep in mind this very important factor before selecting a color. After all coloring one's hair is mainly to enhance one's beauty.

Natural Hair Color

'Dye' your hair naturally, with no chemicals, no lead, no artificial dyes. Commercially available Hair Coloring uses chemicals that remove, replace, or enhance the natural pigments in the hair shaft. There are many adverse effects that can result from their use.

- skin irritation, itching, burning, irritation, redness, discomfort
- allergies to the chemicals like PPD (p-Phenylenediamine)
- hair breakage or weakening, over-processing
- skin discoloration or drying
- unpredictable coloring (mostly with at home dyes)

As well as the undesirable effects listed above, there are more serious health concerns that are potential problems from chemical hair colorants. While there is some debate as to the reality of the problems from hair coloring, the risk simply does not need to be taken.

There are publications regarding the dangers of hair dyes including:

- An FDA study that found lead acetate in many dyes to be toxic.
- Articles that refer to the development of some forms of cancer including leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, bladder cancer, blood cancer, and multiple myeloma as a result of hair dye usage.
- Prolonged use of permanent dark hair dyes can potentially double a person's risk of getting various types of blood cancer.
- Some experts suspect that hair bleach can kill brain cells.
- A known human carcinogen, 4-ABP, was found in some home hair dyes.

Natural hair colorants such as the plant powders Henna, Indigo, Cassia, and Amla (click on each to read more about it) can safely be used to enhance or change your hair color. They are plant powders that are mixed with lemon juice, water, and/or yogurt, in your own home, to make a paste that is applied to your hair and scalp.

Because they are natural, and do not strip the natural pigment from your hair, the color you get from these powders will depend on the color of the hair you are coloring. For instance, henna alone used on white hair will produce red, while straight henna on brown hair will result in auburn hair.

These powders are safe to use on chemically treated or dyed hair, also. They are safe to use as often as you wish. If you color your hair with these powders and get a color that is not dark enough, you can easily deepen it with another application.

It does take a few days to realize the final color of your treatment, since the color will continue to settle into the hair shaft for a couple of days, due to the oxidation process. This natural process occurs as the plant colorants are exposed to the air similar, to how a cut apple turns brown with time.

You're likely to find that most hairdressers are "anti-henna" since they have only been exposed to "compound" hennas mixed with dyes, lead acetate or other metal fixants in them. Our powders are pure leaf powders with no fixants or anything else in it. You can be assured it is the best quality and will not give poor results.

As with any product, test for allergic reactions. You should also try the paste on a small sample of hair (take hair out of your hairbrush for this) to see what the resultant color will be on your hair.

HOW TO USE THESE NATURAL COLORANTS

If you are using Amla, or Indigo you do not need to premix the powder with lemon juice. ONLY HENNA or CASSIA NEED TO BE MIXED WITH LEMON JUICE AND SIT OVERNIGHT. Indigo and Amla can be mixed and combined with the henna when you are ready to apply it.

Whatever combination of powders you use, follow these guidelines in mixing:

100g combined powders for short hair

200g for collar length straight hair

300g for shoulder length straight hair

500g for waist length straight hair

Please note that these are starting guidelines and your hair may need more or less.

Mix henna or cassia with enough lemon juice to make a paste with the consistency of mashed potatoes. If your skin is sensitive to lemon and is itchy after using henna, use orange juice, grapefruit juice, or a liquid that is less acidic than lemon juice.

Cover the container of paste with plastic wrap and let it rest overnight at room temperature or in a warm area. As the henna or cassia rests, the acid in the lemon juice will release the color from the plant powder. This slow, acidic release will get you the best results. If you're in a hurry, put it in a warm place, but NOT a hot place! Your henna will be ready in two hours at 95F.

Once the paste is done sitting, stir in a little more lemon juice or a fragrant tea to make the paste about as thick as yogurt. Add a little at a time to get the right consistency.

For Indigo or Amla, simply mix with enough water to make a paste the consistency of yogurt. This does not need lemon juice. Simply use warm water, adding a bit at a time so it doesn't become too thin. Once your Indigo or Amla is mixed, you can stir all your pastes together that you plan on mixing. Make sure you stir it completely so you don't get streaked hair.

You can also apply one paste first, let it sit, rinse it out, then apply another paste to your hair at a later time. If you apply the pastes at separate times, you will get deeper or darker color.

For instance, to get a very deep black hair color, you should first color your hair with henna, then color it with indigo after the henna'd hair has dried. If you don't want as deep of a black, you can simply mix the henna and indigo together and apply as a single paste.

This process can get messy, so wear gloves to avoid tattoing yourself with the paste. You can prepare smaller amounts to cover roots between full colorings. There is medical test evidence that henna is relaxing, and can soothe headaches. The paste can feel heavy on your head if you have a lot of hair.

To apply the paste to your hair, wash and dry your hair, then comb it through. You may want to section your hair for easier application. Start at the back and work the paste all the way to the scalp. Apply the paste thickly like frosting. More henna makes a richer stain and better coverage. Bring down the next section and cover that part.

Continue until all of your hair is covered, then pile all of your hair onto the top of your head and wrap with plastic wrap. Cover with an old towel if you wish, but the towel may get dyed if the paste gets onto it. Clean off any exposed skin to avoid dyeing it.

Allow the paste to sit on your hair for 2-4 hours before checking the color. If your hair is very resistant to dye, you can keep it on longer. Find a comfortable spot and rest if you wish. If you plan on moving around, make sure you wrap the hair securely, or it will start to drip or seep out of the plastic.

Finally, wash the henna mix out of your hair. Simply rinse with warm water. You can either jump in the shower or hang your head over the tub and rinse most of it out. Finish removing the paste by shampooing the last of it out. Dry and style as usual.

Your hair will probably have a distinct odor to it for a couple of days. If you dislike the smell of the paste/powder, simmer a teaspoon of lavender bud or rosemary powder in water, strain out the plant residue, and rinse your hair with lavender or rosemary tea to combat the herb-y smell. Or, you could add cinnamon to the paste before applying it.

At first, hair dyed with henna may seem coppery bright. Don't panic. This will darken during the next several days if you used an acidic mix. Body art quality henna dyes hands and feet easily, but not your ears or the nape of your neck. If you wiped off the henna, you won't see anything at all. If you didn't clean it up, the stain will fade in three days or so.

Your hair will take 3 days to settle into the true color. This is the oxidation process like when an apple browns when exposed to air. Be patient and do not panic. The coloring might be best done on a Friday night when you don't have plans for the weekend so you can let it settle before going back to work on Monday. Thicker, longer applications mean richer color. Apply henna like cake frosting. Get it down to the scalp.

This works on beards and mustaches, too.

Henna powder is ground from dried leaves of the "lawsonia inermis" plant. When mixed with a mildly acidic liquid, henna will stain skin, hair, and fingernails reddish-orange. It strengthens hair, adds shine, and is anti-fungal, helping eliminate problems like dandruff, lice and ring-worm. It strengthens the hair shaft as it colors, leaving your hair shiny, healthy, and beautif

Henna has long been used as a natural temporary tattoo. Skin is painted with henna, and left to sit for a length of time. Then, the skin carries the color in the form of a tattoo, but fades with the sloughing of skin. It is often used overseas in wedding rituals, and much more.

Indigo is among the oldest dyes to be used for textile dyeing and printing. It is also a powder ground from a variety of plants, including many of the Indigofera species. It is used as a food coloring, known as FD&C Blue No. 2 in the US. The sodium salt of indigo is used as a dye in renal function testing and as a reagent in the testing of milk. When used with henna or amla it can produce a wide range of colors, resulting in the dark hues in brunette colors. It is a basic, or alkaline, paste, unlike henna, so it does not need lemon juice to activate it. It creates strength and shine along the hair shaft.

Amla comes the fruit of a deciduous tree, which is called as Emblica Officinalis. All parts of the plant are used for various ayurvedic herbal preparations, including the fruit, seed, leaves, root, bark and flowers. It is commonly used in inks, shampoos, hair oils, and for fixing dyes in fabrics. It is also taken internally for a variety of reasons.

Used with henna and indigo, it creates a softer brown. It is probably nature's best hair conditioner. Use the paste weekly to protect, strengthen, and create shine on your hair. It can also be made into an oil and applied to the hair daily. It has a smell like raw cranberries and tree bark. Amla enhances waves and curls, but can also be used on skin as a mask to tighten and firm skin.

TO USE: after the henna sits overnight, mix in the amla (1/3 to 1/2 the amount of henna that you used to start) into it, then add water to make the mixture yogurt consistency. Complete the process as listed above.

Cassia is an excellent conditioner for any hair, regardless of color. Cassia is a green leaf powder that smells strongly like mown grass when mixed with water. It is alkaline like Indigo, and does not require lemon juice to activate the color molecule.

It makes hair glossy and thick, shiny, silky and strong - even damaged or bleached hair. Cassia has a golden yellow dye molecule. It will not alter the color of dark or red hair, but will make gray or blond hair turn golden. You can mix it with any other powder combination, or alone, with equally fantastic effects. The conditioning effects last for about a month. Mix cassia and henna to make shades of blond, strawberry blond and coppery red.

These plant powders work great and give you beautiful hair without worrying about chemicals and the after effects. Try it yourself, and you will be glad you did.

Hair Loss Solutions - How to Help Stop Hair Loss and Regrow Hair

Hair loss and male-pattern baldness is an affliction suffered by thousands of men, and can be a real source of insecurity and embarrassment for those not ready to lose their hair or shave their head. Even worse, and more devastating are the younger cases where the hair loss process begins long before a man even reaches his thirtieth birthday. So what are your options if you are one of these men, uncontrollably losing your hair before your time?

Well, you can do what many others do - shave your head for the sake of uniformity. Lots of men look great with a shaved head - it just fits their personality and style, and they seem comfortable that way. For those unwilling to give up on their hair, there are hairpieces or plugs, neither of which have been perfected to the point of being undetectable, and both having a societal stigma as being somewhat tacky and undesirable.

The other option, of course, is to try one of the hair loss products that several reputable manufacturers now offer, both in prescription and nonprescription form. While there is still no "magic pill" that can unflinchingly promise every man (and woman) who takes it will re-grow their hair, there are some very promising and effective hair loss products and treatments currently on the market and also in development.

Propecia, Rogaine (Monoxadil), Avacor and Proxiphen are just a few of the top prescription and nonprescription hair loss products on the market today, and they've all had varying degrees of success in re-growing their client's hair. Since the demand for hair loss products is so great, there have been many non-prescription hair loss alternatives recently introduced in an effort to offer men (and women) a more economical and convenient alternative to re-grow hair and prevent further hair loss.

There are also several vitamins that have been specially formulated both for thinning hair and to promote the speedy growth of healthy, shiny hair. Vitamins for thinning hair and faster hair growth and re-growth are usually a varying combination of several key amino acids, biotin, vitamins B6 and E, and zinc. Many who take vitamins of this nature do report thicker, more lustrous and healthy hair, but if your goal is to actually re-grow hair and not just thicken thinning hair, then you would probably want to consider a more serious hair loss supplement or treatment that specifically targets balding and hair loss.

Here's a little tip to help stimulate hair growth - massage the scalp. This is an age-old hairstylist tip to help stimulate the hair follicles, unclog any blocked oil glands in the scalp, and help promote a healthy scalp and new, healthy hair growth. Plus, it's relaxing and it feels good, so it's not such a chore!

Hair loss supplements can range from pricey to reasonable, tested and untested, and clinically proven vs. not clinically proven. You have to use good judgment and do a little homework on the internet, or by reading consumer reviews, testimonials and surveys to see what really should work best for your situation. Some even offer money back guarantees or some sort or money back for unused portions.

Now, let's talk about being proactive in preventing future hair loss. Many times, the underlying cause for premature hair loss and male pattern balding is hereditary, but it can also be brought on by a hormonal imbalance of the male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens. Correcting a hormonal imbalance many times can stop hair loss. This example can be seen in women who notice hair loss shortly after they've had a baby. The cause for this is a drop in hormones that kept much more hair on the head than normal during pregnancy because the levels of this hormone are unusually high at this time.

Some medications can also cause or aggravate hair loss. Typically these medications are blood thinners, gout medication, chemotherapy medications for cancer, too much vitamin A, birth control pills and antidepressants. Avoid tight or "pulling" hairstyles like high or tight ponytails and cornrows, and also stay away from harsh chemical treatments such as perms and other potentially volatile, damaging hair treatments.

Typical hair loss treatments, prescription and nonprescription, usually take about six months before you can tell they are working, so patience is a must. There is no overnight fix to hair loss unfortunately. As long as you are comfortable with your chosen hair loss remedy, and have planned a preventative and maintenance course of action, that's really all that matters.

Choosing the Best Shampoo For Your Hair

Hair shampoo seems to be the one hair product we either spend a lot of time thinking about, or little time thinking about. I have friends who swear by their brand and type of shampoo, and I have friends who don't think twice about using a bar of soap.

As president of one of the largest hair products manufacturers and distributors on the web, you can imagine I'm cringing at the thought of using soap to wash my hair. Yep, it's a pretty scary though, but it gets the job done...and generally with little harm.

Having said that, I do not support using bar soap to wash your hair or as a substitute for a well-selected shampoo. Hair shampoo, if chosen wisely, can do wonders for your hair. May products are formulated to either address specific hair problems or types, or to improve manageability and control. Understanding what you are looking for in a hair shampoo is the first "best step" towards finding the best shampoo for you.

What shampoo is best for your hair?

Many people are immediately aware of shampoos that allow their hair to behave and feel good. Sometimes by blind luck we use a product that "just works" for our hairstyle and type. It could be on vacation at a hotel or a friend or relatives house, it could be something you pick-up at the grocery store, or it could be something that's been under the counter for a while you forgot you had. Either way, we periodically find something we love and that works well for our hair.

What makes a hair shampoo best for you? The answer is often related to your hair type. Coarse, thick or dry hair generally requires more moisture that most hair types to maintain control and manageability. Thin or thinning hair styles benefit from products that "plump" or add body. Hair prone to breaking needs strength and styles or types that frizz easily may need shampoo that encourages damage repair.

Hair shampoo can generally be divided into a small group of categories based on their function:

• Moisturizing
• Damage repair
• Strengthening
• Growth
• Frizz and dry hair control
• Oily hair maintenance
• Color maintenance

Many manufacturers have further subdivided these categories and have introduced product lines or sub-lines to target specific active ingredients e.g., tea tree oil, green tea, olive oil, coffee, etc. But generally, addressing your hair type and style combined with pleasing aroma is the best combination.

Hair shampoo that moisturizes is probably the most effective and popular among hair products. The leading cause of damage is fluid depletion from heat damage, chemical treatments or over-styling. Shampoo that uses Emu Oil, Panthenol, or tea tree oil help improve moisture content, moisture retention and provides control to dry, frizzy or fly-away hair.

For faster growing hair, many manufacturers use Trichogen or Minoxidil formulations to stimulate new hair growth and to slow or reverse hair loss. Trichogen is a botanical complex of 14 herbs, minerals and compounds which have been shown to improve blood circulation to the scalp, increase nutrient and vitamin delivery, and enhancing vital nutrients for hair growth. Usually combined with shampoos that deep clean to remove obstacles to hair growth, hair shampoo developed for hair growth can help stimulate growth and improve manageability to thin or thinning hair.

Oily hair presents its own problems. Sebaceous glands located within the follicle pore secrete sebum - hair oil - that works to lubricate and nourish the follicle shaft. Sebaceous glands can become overactive and the result is oily or greasy hair. Though regular or frequent washing will help fight oily hair, regulating the sebaceous gland is the best method for controlling oily hair. Hair shampoo that contains Zinc PCA will not only deep clean, but will regulate oil production - providing cleaner fresher hair.

When considering which hair shampoo is best for your, first consider your hair type and what your objectives may be. Experiment and try different brands - there are many products available that not only smell great but can give you ultimate control and style.

How to Cure Dandruff

Dandruff is a condition where a person is losing dead skin cells from their scalp at a high rate. While this problem is completely normal, it is also extremely irritating and embarrassing.

There are two different types of dandruff a person may get. One type is Pityriasis Capites, which are white flakes that fall from a person's scalp and the most common type of dandruff. The second is Seborrhea Dermatitis, where the scalp gets really greasy and the person ends up with oily, thick dandruff. This type of dandruff needs to be treated with a lot of shampooing and other home remedies or through medicated shampoos prescribed by the doctor.

Aside from the normal lotions, creams and shampoos available for dandruff, there are many different dandruff cures you may have right at home. These remedies allow you to cure yourself of dandruff without spending a ton of money.

The first remedy is to get a hot oil treatment; this will allow your scalp to be lubricated and stopping the excessive flaking. You simply rub in the hot oil, then wait till the next morning and wash it out. Then use lemon juice with vinegar onto your scalp and wash again. This will make hair soft and full but also rid you of dandruff.

The next cure is taking a hot steamy bath, by wetting your hair and tying it up into a towel, which will help the steam eliminate the dandruff problem. The moisture helps you fight future dandruff as well.

Using baking soda is another way to get rid of dandruff and use a little oil to lubricate your scalp afterwards. The hair may be dry for a while, but after a few treatments your hair will be soft, shiny and dandruff free.

Lastly, get some sun, this will help to cure you of dandruff, the ultraviolet light helps to get rid of dandruff, which is why dandruff is not so bad in the summer time. Spending a couple of hours outdoors will do wonders for your scalp.