By Michael Barrows
Using a good hair salon is key to great hair care. But how do you select the right hair salon from the many choices available? This article guides you through the daunting process of finding the hair salon that suits your needs.
The number one thing that you can do to guarantee that you always receive the best hair cuts, latest professional techniques and stellar service is to choose the right hair salon. Granted, that is easier said than done. With hair salons on practically every street corner, narrowing down your options to find the right hair salon can be confusing.
Getting a referral to a hair salon by family and friends could be a good way to begin your search. But do not stop there. As you may already know, no two hair stylists take the same artistic approach to their work. That means that a particular stylist or hair salon may do a fantastic job on your Cousin Suzie's long layers and still not be quite able to pull off your short textured crop. That does not mean that your cousin's hair salon is inferior in any way. It just means that you need to find a hair salon that is more suited to your particular style and needs.
The easiest way to find a hair salon suited to your needs is to ask people with hair styles similar to what you want for a referral to their hair salon. These may be people you know or complete strangers that you see while you are out shopping. Do not be shy. If you see a cute style that you have been unsuccessfully trying to achieve, ask the person which hair salon they go to. You may never get a chance to do so again.
Another thing that you can do to make sure that you choose the right hair salon is to schedule a consultation. A consultation allows you to "feel out" a hair salon before making a commitment to a stylist that you may regret. During a consultation, you can observe the different techniques that the staff at the hair salon is using and how they interact with their customers. A consultation also gives you the chance to vocalize what you want and receive feedback from a professional, all before the first snip is made. Most hair salons also have a portfolio that you can look through of before and after pictures, which can give you a sense of what kind of work do.
During your search for the right hair salon, there are some red flags that can be easily detected that can warn you of impending disaster if you choose a particular hair salon. Here are just a few:
" Dirt and grime. A clean hair salon is mandated by the state, but some salons still tend to push the envelope where cleanliness is concerned. Look for sanitary procedures such as the use of clean combs and brushes, sanitary neck strips and a clean work station. If a hair salon feels dirty, do not frequent it. Look at it this way, if the stylists of a particular salon do not take enough pride in their hair salon to keep it clean, why would they take pride in the work they put out the door?
" Professionalism. The hair salon is a professional place, and you should feel like you have stepped into a den of luxury not one more suited to the Saturday nightlife. Again, it's all about pride. Professionals who take pride in their work will strive to create the right atmosphere for their customers.
" Communication. Communication is vital in a hair salon. Observe how the stylists interact with their customers. That is how they will interact with you.
In the end, it may take a little trial and error to find the right hair salon, but you can make your search easier by following the above advice. Always keep in mind, though, that choosing the wrong hair salon is not a death sentence. Simply brush yourself off and keep looking.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Barrows' website gives great advice for good hair. Get your free ebook packed with hair style and hair care tips and advice, visit www.great-hairstyles.com
SOURCE:
ArticlesFactory.com
| Hair braiding is an ancient art, practiced by the Ancient Egyptians as long ago as 4000 BC. Today it has become a “hot “ fashion trend with many styles, weaves and colorful ornamental beads. Not only women but also men have embraced this beautiful art, creating color and style beyond our ancestors wildest dreams. How and where did braiding begin? Hair braiding, as we know it today has its origins in West Africa. The different and often complex designs signify the social status, age group and village a girl has come from. The braid patterns are made up of different geometrical patterns and can become quite complex for special occasions, such as marriages. Braiding is traditionally a social art. Because of the time it takes to braid hair the women took time to socialize while braiding and having their hair done. It begins with the elders making simple knots and braids for younger children. Older children watch and learn from them, start practicing on younger girls and eventually learn the traditional designs. Here in America you see mothers and grandmothers braiding and putting colorful beads in little children’s hair. This carries on a the tradition of bonding between elders and the new generation. The difference between ancient and modern braiding: Nowadays, as well as the colorful beads and intricate designs of our ancestors, hair weaving has become part of the traditional braiding technique. This opens the door to a whole new assortment of styles and looks. The Hip Hop industry has taken hair braiding and weaving to a whole new level of popularity and style, allowing people from all walks of life to enjoy creating a fashion statement with hair braids and weaves. Hair weaves range from real hair to a vast array of different colors and textures made from synthetic hair. The traditional beads are also being developed into all sorts of shapes and sizes. Hair Care for Braiding and Hair Weaving When you decide to braid your hair or use hair weaves, your hair needs to be in good condition, or you will experience breakage and damage. Your hair should have elasticity. This is a natural condition of hair fibers and will be present in all hair that has not been chemically treated. If you have used relaxers, bleaching, or perms, these chemicals make your hair dry and brittle, it is very important to use good conditioners on a regular basis to restore your hair’s natural elasticity. Be sure to discuss this with your stylist, so that you can enjoy braiding styles without damaging your hair. Hair braiding and weaving can be quite costly, so it is essential to go to stylists who are experienced and knowledgeable. Make an appointment with your stylist for a consultation, before you have your hair done. Discuss what style is best for you, the cost and how to maintain your hair braids or weave. Proper care of your hair when braiding and using hair weaves will prevent damage to your hair and scalp. Hair braiding is one of the most versatile ways to style your hair and truly make yourself unique, with this beautiful and ancient art form. |  |
By Diana Dudas
Copyright 2003
Our skin like other body parts is not invincible, when it comes to being susceptible to damage. As it is necessary to get monthly haircuts and weekly manicures as part of your grooming regime it should also be a necessity and not a luxury to take care of the most important organ of your body, the skin. And the time to start doing that is now.
Too young to care.
It may seem unimportant to contemplate doing anything about your complexions before reaching your thirties. However it is in our twenties that the effects of aging begin to be visible in our complexion. As we mature, biochemical changes occur in elastin and collagen, the connective tissues that give skin it’s firmness and elasticity. Genetics also play a part in this, which is why these changes occur at different times in different people.
As skin becomes less elastic, it also becomes drier, and the fat padding begins to disappear. This causes the skin to sag and look less supple. Ultimately wrinkles will appear. Then one day, after glancing in the mirror you suddenly notice those crows feet creeping in around the corners of your immaculately decorated eyelids, or you notice that your lip potions have sadly waded into the spider like crevices above the lips. It is normally then, when decisions are made to go out and get a miracle cream or maybe a facial. Aging can be slowed down, and you can do your part to promote a younger complexion even as you mature. All it takes is a little TLC, but start NOW! The sooner you start to nurture your skin the more chance you have of a age-less complexion. All it takes is a short monthly visit to a skin care specialist, or a few minutes a day, taking care of your skin at home.
Skin care starts at home
Enjoying a monthly facial is an excellent idea. Having your, face, neck and shoulders massaged for an hour and a half will most definitely put you into a state of euphoria and your skin will feel revitalized and renewed. And for those of you who haven’t got time for a full treatment, you will be pleased to know that the New York style facial is now available, which takes only 15 minutes, perfect for a quick lunch hour treat. Making time for a facial is important, but more so it is of the utmost importance to maintain this caring act at home. Your skin needs twice daily nurturing to keep it clean, moist and protected and it only takes ten minutes a day.
Easy as ABC
A good skin care regime is neither complicated nor laborious. A quick 1, 2, 3 step is a great start. This means a twice daily cleansing, toning and moisturizing. it only takes 5 minutes each time, that’s just 10 minutes a day.
Cleanse: Use a liquid, cream or foam cleanser. And gently massage your face to remove all dirt and make-up. Then rinse. Do not use soaps as they can be overly drying and also clog pores.
Tone: After cleansing saturate a cotton pad, and stoke over face and neck, this will work to remove the last traces of cleanser and also close your pores.
Moisturize: Apply your cream with upward motions to both the face and neck. Avoid eye area.
This is all you need to get you well on your way to a healthy and more radiant complexion.
Your only young once!
This might be the case, however there is absolutely nothing wrong from being in denial of your age for as long as you fell fit!
For those concerned about skin maturity or maybe suffer with problem skin there are extra steps that you can take to ensure healthy skin.
A weekly exfoliation will uncover fresh new layers of skin. Look for exfoliators that contain enzymes as these will dissolve dead skin cells without being too abrasive. This will give your skin a healthy glow.
For optimum results, immediately after using your exfoliator, apply a masque . Check the ingredient lists for anti-inflammatory agents such as cucumber or chamomile, these will work to calm and soothe your skin, so that it emerges, refreshed,, refined and revitalized. Always a good thing!
Obviously the more you care for our skin, the better you are going to look. And that alone will give you a new lease of life. There are also eye creams and gels that reduce fine lines and firm the area around the eye. Thus helping to prevent further wrinkles.
Doctor my Eyes!
Eye crèmes are a vital part of your skin care regime. The skin around your eyes is much finer than the rest of your face and body and cannot absorb a heavy moisturizer. If you were to compare the thickness of skin on the various parts of our body to paper. The delicate eye area, would be like tissue paper, the face like writing paper, and the neck and body like wrapping paper this is why it is important to use lighter crèmes that are specifically made for the delicate eye area. If you were to apply your usual facial moisturizer to the eye area, the moisturizer would have no where to go, and would in fact create puffy, baggy eyes. Also for the same reasons never use eye crèmes on the eyelid before going to sleep. However you can use an eye gel sparingly under the eye area.
Going below and beyond
Once you have achieved your basic skin care regime, your skin will be like a clean canvas ready to absorb all the nutrients found in anti-aging formulas. These include products containing liposomes, night crèmes and also serums. When crèmes containing liposomes are applied to the skin, the liposomes are deposited on the skin and begin to merge with the cellular membranes and then release their active ingredients. Serums go one step further, they are able to penetrate below the skin wall and attach themselves to emerging skin cells promoting healthy new skin cells. Serums come in the form of droplets and are applied sparingly under your moisturizer.
What to look for
The thought of shopping for skin care items can tedious and knowing which ingredients to look is daunting, so here are a few suggestions of what ingredients to look for when starting your skin care regime. When choosing your cleanser toner and moisturizer look for the following ingredients, which will vary depending on your skin type:
Dull dry skin… oxygenating essential oils including: Peppermint, Geranium, Rosemary, Cyprus, Thyme, Anise and Cinnamon
Oily or acne prone skin… anti-bacterial and oil blotting extracts including: Camphor, Eucalyptus Oil, and Witch hazel
Mature Skin… Liposomes, serums. Sunflower, jojoba and hazelnut are rich lubricants.
Exfoliators… ENZYMES are the gentlest and yet most effective form of exfoliation. Papaya being the most effective
Once you start on the road to good skin care, your skin will crave it. Remember, a good diet, exercise and drinking lots of water will also help improve your complexion. With just ten minutes a day you will soon see results and others will also notice.
So start your twice daily skin care regime and , when you just don’t feel like it, remember just 10 minutes a day keeps those winkles at bay.
If you have any questions on skin care please email dudasdiana@aol.com or for product questions email alkemiskincare@aol.com
By Diana Dudas G.C.H.S.R.H.
Copyright 2003
Summertime can have a nasty habit of making us sit and notice. We suddenly have anew self awareness. Wintertime can have a definite adverse affect on both your hair and skin. This is aggravated by an over indulgence of rich nurturing foods, caffeine and alcohol. It sometimes takes spring creeping over the windowsill to give you that extra wake up call, and a new self awareness. It is during this time that your old summer wardrobes may look sad, due to extra poundage gained over the hibernation season. Skin may appear dry, and your hair can appear to seem limp and lifeless and in extreme cases hair loss may be apparent.
Hair loss in women is becoming more prominent, and this has persuaded doctors to take a closer look at the problem. It has been proven that poor diet can play a big part in promoting hair loss, especially in women, whom already have to contend with hormone in balances, which also contribute to hair loss.
What causes hair loss in women.
DHT
95% of hair loss in women is cause by androgentic Alopecia ( female pattern baldness). This may be inherited from your parents.
What causes the hair loss in this condition is a chemical called DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is hormone that all men and women produce) .People that make more DHT have a lot of the enzyme called 5_alpha reductase. An excess of DHT may cause hair follicles to the hair become increasingly thinner, until the follicle will eventually stop producing hair at all. The baldness will be predominantly over the front and sides of the head and not in the crown area as with men. This will get worse with menopause.
A women’s biochemistry if often out of balance, and this along with poor diet can create a toxic environment and un acceptable amounts of copper and salt in the system.
Oily Hair
As hair thins the sebaceous gland that secreted sebum the hairs natural oil, will stay the same size and continue to produce the same amount of oil. This can make thinning hair overly oily, flat and lifeless. This makes frequent shampooing vital for hair loss cases with oily scalps. Sebum also contains DHT which can clog pores and deter healthy hair growth.
Hormones
Hormonal changes are a common cause of female hair loss. After a pregnancy, or when taking birth control pills, many women experience hair thinning to varying degrees, but only on a temporary basis.
While a woman is pregnant, and hormonal changes are occurring, more hair follicles enter the growth phase than normal. About two to three months after childbirth, the normal hair cycle returns and many hairs re-enter the resting phase, which causes excessive shedding to occur. If the condition does not change after six months, a woman may be experiencing hereditary hair thinning or maybe be lacking in certain nutrients to an unbalanced diet.
Unbalanced Diet
What you eat is reflected in the health of your hair. Your hair as well as your body needs a balanced, nutritious diet to stay healthy. Making a conscious decision to eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables that are loaded with vitamins and anti oxidants is essential. whist, whole grains , nuts and seeds will provide minerals and vitamins. A lean protein will add sufficient iron to the diet and a fortified cereal breakfast will complete the nutritional pyramid. Of course drinking plenty of purified water will give your hair maximum hydration.
Eating organic, will help deter the body from becoming toxic, especially from copper, and steering clear of processed foods will prevent a high sodium intake.
Salt and Copper wreak havoc
Unhealthy tissue concentrations of copper, can cause hair loss. These amounts would be below 1.7milligrams or above 3.5 milligrams. Copper toxicity can vary from person to person, and can depend on the individuals metabolism and diet. Vegetarians for example are not always able to retain copper, which means they are more susceptible to hair loss.
How does copper get into our system
Drinking water that comes from old copper pipes is prime. Also the food that we eat. For instance copper can be included in animals diets which in turn is then passed on in our daily regime. It is also not uncommon for farmers to incorporate copper into their anti-fungal and algae sprays. Birth control such as the pill and IUD both use copper, making women more susceptible to copper imbalances. Swimmers are also at risk sue to a popular algaecide used in pool water.
Salt Savvy
It is common knowledge that too much sodium or salt is not good for us, But even if we are salt savvy and do what’s best by avoiding salt. Our bodies can still produce too much sodium due to too much stress, which will naturally increase sodium retention.
What to advise!
If you have a client suffering with hair loss, it might be a good idea to mention the above and advise the following:
Drink Bottled Water
Avoid foods high in copper, such as milk, chocolate, oysters, nuts, high fat meats and salmon.
Avoid salt and eat a low sodium diet ( steering clear of processed foods is a good idea as they tend to be high in sodium
Try to stay stress free. If a stressful lifestyle is on the agenda, then relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation will help to reduce sodium levels.
Other causes of excessive hair loss.
You should normally shed on average between 80-100 hairs each day, however any more than this and you might want to re-think your diet or lifestyle.
Chemical treatments done incorrectly, or excessive pulling on the hair due to over tight ponytails or braids, are also likely to cause hair loss. If you follow a healthy lifestyle or do not fall into any of these categories and you are still experiencing hair loss, you may want to consult with your doctor or trichologist. As a more serious health problem may be the cause!
Contact Diana Dudas at dudasdiana@aol.com
