How to: Style your hair in your sleep

The ultimate in low maintenance beauty--just wake up and go.

Just cut your hair and want an easy messy bob? We speak to hair maven Paloma Rose Garcia about how to achieve the perfect 'do while you get your shut-eye.

Option 1

1. Wash your hair in the evening, then spray with sea salt spray if you have fine hair. Skip the product if your hair is thicker.

2. Towel dry hair till it’s only about 30 per cent wet, and go to bed. Letting your hair dry while you toss and turn in your sleep creates root lift as well as texture and movement through the mid-lengths and the ends – it’s best for medium to fine hair that already has a slight wave. “It’s not reliable, though,” Garcia admits. For a more reliable alternative, read on.

Option 2

1. If you have fine hair, spritz with sea salt spray before blasting with a hair dryer. If you have medium to thick hair, no product is needed. 

2. Starting at the nape of the neck, take horizontal sections and wrap around a one-inch tong. Make sure you leave the roots and ends untonged for a natural look. The aim is to create movement rather than curl so mix up the direction of the curls. 

3. Run fingers through the hair to break it up. 

4. For an added tousled texture, add Redken Powder Grip 03 and lightly distribute it throughout the roots. 

Top 8 Makeup Tips for Women with Fair, Light Skin & Blonde Hair

Many blondes with fair skin have no idea how to use makeup to complement their pale skin. Whether you struggle with trying to hide your freckles or just want to learn how to highlight your features and look fresh, these blond makeup tips will help you look gorgeous.

1. You Don’t Have to Stick with Pastel Eye Shadow Colors.
   When you’re a blonde, never think you are forced to stick with pastel eye shadow colors alone. Sure, you can pull them off well. But, you can also use browns, purples, grays and silvers to help you get the look you want.
2. Play Up Eyes with the Right Eyeliner Shades.
   Blondes are fortune in that they can wear eyeliner shades of almost any color. Some of the best shades to try are gray, violet, blue and brown. However, black can be used for a super dramatic effect at night time, as well.
3. Concealer is a Fair Skinned Gal’s Best Friend.
   If you have freckles or other blemishes, they can show up a lot when your skin is fair. Thus, concealer will likely become your best friend. Find a concealer to make your skin tone. Dap it on any areas you want to conceal and blend the edges until it looks seamless on your face. This may take practice, so don’t give up!
4. Bronzer Can Give Your Complexion Some ZEST!
   If you want a sunkissed look, don’t be afraid to use bronzer. After you’ve applied your foundation and/or powder, take a big round blush and apply bronzer in a light bronze color. Only add it to your t-zone and to the apples of your cheeks. Remember, less is more when it comes to bronzer!
5. Have a Light Hand with the Blush.
   Loading up on blush won’t make you look less fair and will only end up making you look like a clown. So, when it comes to choose blush colors, stick with a sheer pink or neutral color. Add a little to the apples of your cheeks and examine it in natural sunlight. If you feel you need more at that point, add more. If you overdo it, you can always use a little powder or foundation to tone it back down without having to re-do all of your makeup.
6. Choose lip colors in pinks and corals.
   Lipstick can help pale skin look brighter, but overloading on dark colors of lipstick can end up making you look even fairer. Stick with lighter colored lipsticks of pinks and corals. You can also opt for colored lip glosses for a more natural and fresher look.
7. Fair skin generally needs more moisture than darker skin.
   When you have fair skin, moisturizing and taking care of your skin is very important. Fine lines, spots and blemishes show up a lot more on light skin than darker skin tones. Thus, it’s important to use a light moisturizer after you shower each morning and a thicker night time moisturizer before bed.
8. Brown Mascara Looks More Natural.
   When it comes to mascara and blondes, it’s best to wear brown mascara for daytime hours and save the dark mascara colors for night wear only for a more dramatic look.

Laser Hair Removal Causing Hair To Grow Back Thicker

There are currently 2 known instances where there is a possibility that laser hair removal can make hair grow back thicker and darker than it was before treatment. Please keep in mind that one is preventable while the other is so rare, the chances of it happening are very small.

The first scenario can happen to anyone, though the majority of people that opt for laser treatment may not be aware of this risk prior to treatment. In order to perform laser hair removal, the technician will require you to shave the desired area a day or two prior to your appointment. The hair needs to be as short as possible, yet still be visible, in order for the laser to work to its full potential. Unfortunately, some areas that people want to have lasered, (such as the face and back), contain a mixture of the dark coarse hairs that they want gone and "peach fuzz" (the extremely fine and colorless hairs that cover a lot of our body). When shaving this area in preparation for laser treatment, the peach fuzz that is present also gets shaved. With shaving, hairs tend to grow back thicker, darker, and faster with every shave. The fine hairs that were once unnoticeable may now start to appear darker upon return, which can create the illusion that more hair is beginning to grow after having laser treatment.

The second instance is a medical condition called "paradoxical hypertrichosis". It is a very rare reaction that can be experienced after laser hair removal treatment. As paradoxical hypertrichosis, (or postlaser hypertrichosis), is still a relatively new and extremely rare condition, there has not been a great deal of research done on the subject. It is difficult to determine what the exact cause of this phenomenon is. Some specialists suggest that this unwanted hair growth can be caused by extremely low intensity laser or IPL treatments at levels that are too low to be effective and actually end up stimulating new hair growth in the hair bulb as opposed to destroying the hair bulb completely. Others suggest that ethnic background may be a factor as research has found that this reaction tends to happen more in people with skin types 3, 4, and 5 (olive and darker skin) than it does in people with lighter skin. There is also the possibility that certain medication can increase the risk of paradoxical hypertrichosis if taken at the same time as the laser treatments. As you can see, sufferers of this condition are so few and far between that it is difficult to get a proper sampling.

Regardless of the suggested factors of paradoxical hypertrichosis, it is extremely important to find a laser technician that is skilled and qualified to perform your treatments. They need to be knowledgeable enough to determine the correct laser intensity setting for your particular hair and skin attributes. Too low can be ineffective and actually cause adverse effects. Intensity that is too high can cause side effects such as minor burns and skin discoloration. The perfect balance will safely and effectively remove your unwanted hair and make your laser hair removal experience a positive one.

Even though it is very rare that laser hair removal will make your hair grow back thicker, it has been known to happen in some cases. If you are concerned, or if you know that the area you want to have treated includes peach fuzz, perhaps a different method like electrolysis hair removal would be a better alternative for you. Electrolysis does not require you to shave prior to treatment so you do not run the risk of shaving over any peach fuzz and causing it to grow back thicker. Each hair is individually treated so you do not run the risk of any other area of your skin being treated other than where you want to be treated.

5 Natural Foods Help You in Hair Straightening at Home

The trend of straight hair has rewritten the stylebook. Hair straightening products are very much in demand. But the chemicals which are mostly used to make your hair flat and sleek, leave their impact on the health of your hair. Hence, natural hair straightening products have become the new look-out.There are many such products present in your kitchen, regular use of these products make your hair smoother, softer and straighter. Let’s look at a few natural hair straightening ingredients that will help you in straightening hair at home:

1. Coconut milk mixed with lemon juice:

Grate a coconut to extract the milk from it. Coconut milk has hair straightening permanently properties. But if you add lemon juice to it, it will give you better results. Refrigerate the mixture for a few hours. A creamy layer will be produced on the top of the mixture. Apply that cream to your hair and wrap it with a hot towel. Wait for at least one hour. Then, wash your hair with a mild shampoo and dry it completely. You will rediscover your hair with added softness. At the same time, your unruly curls will also become manageable.

2. Regular hot oil treatment:

Not many people know that apart from adding nutrition to your hair, regular oil treatments can make them straight and sleek. Mix coconut oil with olive oil. You can also replace olive oil with almond oil after a few days. Massage this mixture on the scalp and the hair. Cover the hair with a hot towel. Leave it for at least 45 minutes. Then wash with a shampoo.

3. Natural conditioning:

Regular use of hair conditioner after a wash makes your hair soft and supple. Use tea liquor as a natural curly hair conditioner.

4. Milk spray:

Milk is very useful when it comes to flatten your hair. Pour milk in a spray bottle and spray it all over your hair. Wait for half an hour and let your hair absorb the milk. Then wash with a shampoo to discover the new look of your hair.

5. Milk and honey:

Take some milk and add honey to the milk to make a paste. To get more effective result, smash strawberries or banana into the mixture. Apply it to your hair. It will take time to get dried. So wait for one and half hour and then wash it.

How to get beachy and wavy hair

You know how fabulous and wavy your hair gets after a day playing in the waves at the beach? It's all messy and tousled and downright sexy, right? Well, you can mimic that look with texturizing spray without planting your pretty pedicured feet in the sand.

Step 1: Start with the right haircut

To get beachy waves, you don't necessarily have to have long hair (check out this 

amazing shoulder-length cut here and this one, too). What you do need is long layers. Waves won't fall right on hair that's all one length. You need to remove excess weight by getting long layers cut into your hair, no matter the length.

Step 2: Spritz freshly washed, towel-dried hair with texturizing spray

I love Bumble and Bumble's Surf Spray and Frederic Fekkai's Beach Waves. Spray all over the head to get a rough texture. If you have thick hair, spray less. You can also make your own salt spray recipe (get it here).

Step 3: Scrunch hair as it dries

All of us have some natural wave in our hair and scrunching hair as it dries is the key to finding it. You can either let hair air-dry or use a diffuser on your hair dryer. To properly scrunch hair, hold a section in your palm, then fold it accordian-style (suggests hairstylist Bronwen Melvin in Marie Claire) up towards your scalp, then squeeze. When you release, you should have a perfect little wave in your hair.

Step 4: Create curls with an iron

You

 can skip this step, but if you want even more curl, create haphazard curls with a curling iron. The secret is not to create perfect curls. Wrap random 2-inch thick sections of hair around the fat barrel of a curling iron.

Step 5: Finger comb hair

Run your fingers through hair to break up the curls. You can put a bit of shine serum on your fingers to add extra shine, but avoid this step if you have super fine hair. (Shine serum can weigh fine hair down).

Step 6: Set the wave

Bend upside down at the waist with your head down and spritz a light holding spray on the roots. Stand back up and spritz the wave lightly to set it.

How to Tease Your Hair Quickly

Though "big hair" is often associated with the 80s, it has enjoyed several waves of popularity throughout history—from the giant wigs of the 18th century to the towering beehives of the 1950s. Whether you want to create a luxurious, voluminous mane or just wish to add a little body to your hairstyle, teasing (a.k.a. “backcombing”) is an essential skill. Here are instructions for how to properly tease your hair.

1. Wash, dry, and thoroughly brush your hair. Teasing wet or tangled hair increases the likelihood of tearing and damage. If possible, dry your hair while hanging your head upside-down to encourage volume in the roots.

• Unless you're looking to create a smooth look, such as a beehive, you can also curl your hair before you start for additional style.
• If you have silky hair that doesn't hold a curl or style well, you may want to mist your hair with some light hairspray before you begin. You can also wait 1-2 days after you washed your hair in order to build up its natural texture.
• Brush your hair out so that natural tangles don't get caught when you are teasing your hair with a brush or comb.

2. Take your first section of hair to tease. Separate a single section of hair from the crown of your head, moving and clipping the rest out of the way. A good size to start with would be about 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide. Smaller sections (e.g. 1 inch/2.5 cm wide) will make for stiffer volume but will also take longer.

  

Generally, it's best to start with hair towards the top of the head and work your way down.

If you just want to create some volume at your roots, just use the hair at the crown and at the top of your head. You don't need to move all the way down to the back of your head.

3. Hold the section of hair up to start teasing it. Using one hand to hold it straight up, gently touch your comb or brush to the back of this section of hair. The brush should be several inches (6-9 cm) above the scalp.

4. Tease your hair. Lightly brush downward towards the scalp while continuing to hold the hair straight up. Repeat the teasing motion until the strand has the desired volume. The curlier the hair, the less teasing will be needed. If necessary, spritz the teased section with hairspray before letting it down gently.

• The strength with which you brush should be firm enough to create tangles that offer resistance, but not so vigorous that the hair rips or the brush itself becomes entangled.
• Your hair will look messy, but don't fret -- you can smooth it down and style it later.

5. Hide the teased tangles. Use your fingers to make a loose "cage" around the teased section, hiding and holding the tangles in place without flattening them. Lightly brush the un-teased section of the strand using only the tips of the brush and making sure not to touch or weigh down the teasing.

• You are smoothing down the teased section with your fingers so that it looks more natural and less damaged while still retaining volume.
• If you want your hair to look wild and crazy, skip this step.

6. Put the teased strand aside carefully as you work on teasing other sections of your hair. Scrunch the hair when you're done teasing for additional volume.

• To scrunch your hair, grab sections of it in your fingers and squeeze while pushing towards your scalp.

7. Put your teased hair into a hairstyle. For example, put it into a half-ponytail by pushing individual strands up at the roots, twisting them, and pinning the twists against the scalp.

• You can also use bobby pins to secure your teased hair style in place. For example, if you are creating a beehive effect, you will want to use bobby pins to anchor the beehive to your head by pinning it in the back.

8. Smooth down your hairstyle. Gently smooth the surface of the hairstyle using a shine serum.

• Spread the serum on the palms of your hands and run it over the hair, but don't press down or the volume will disappear.
• This will help to compensate for the "rough" and "dull" look that teasing can create.

How to Do Your Hair for Spring

This hairstyle is sleek with a sophisticated cluster of curls tucked neatly at the nape of your neck.

1. First brush your hair back smoothly and put it into two low pony-tails.

2. Take a strand of hair that is about a dime size in diameter and curl it tightly with a curling iron. Repeat the procedure until all the hair is curled in both pony-tails.

3. If the curling iron doesn't work well for you, try rolling small strands of hair in small hot rollers. After the rollers are cool, remove them carefully and place the curls dividing any curls that seem too big.

4. Take each curl in your fingers and flip it over, placing it against your head and anchor it with a matching bobby pin as shown, letting the ends hang loose.Before you place the curl, you may want to smooth it with a comb and fan the top of the curl out with your fingers. A small amount of teasing at the base of the curl will help to fan it out and make it easier to work with.

5. Start by placing the curls between the two pony-tails, blending them together by inter-mingling the curls. Next proceed to the outside edges, then fill in so that the bobby pins and bands are hidden.

6. If your hair curls easily and is of medium length (only extending about two or three inches past the pony-tail band), you may need only a few bobby pins since the curls will stay in place on their own.

Use Natural Ingredients to DIY Hair Masks

Dry & Dull Hair

Rehydrate dry, dull hair by mixing 1 tbsp. almond oil, 2 tbsp. honey, 2 tbsp. mashed avocado and 1 banana.

Use a wide-tooth comb to comb through hair and rinse with using your favorite shampoo and conditioner after about 5 minutes.

Itchy scalp

1/2 cup Oatmeal, 2 tbsp. Olive Oil,  2 tsp. Baking Soda, & 1/2 cup Brown Sugar

Get your hair wet and massage mixture onto scalp for about 2-3 minutes. Rinse and wash hair with your favorite shampoo.

Oily Hair Fix

Oily hair? That’s alright just mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp baking soda.

Comb through hair while wet, rinse and condition after 2-3 minutes.

How To Use A Sock To Get Beautiful Curly Hair Without Heat

If you are a mom on the go with long hair you HAVE TO try this.  It will  knock your socks off and have you wrapping your hair up in them!  This is all about how to make your hair beautiful with no heat and no time.  Curl your hair in your sleep with a sock.

Yup, you heard me right.  Have you heard of this sock bun?  You really can curl your hair in your sleep with a sock.  If you have ever ran out the door in a sweat, with two different earnings in, desperately trying to throw some bobby pins in your hair in hopes that you don’t look like a mess.  You know what I am talking about Mom’s – This is for you.  In my house I get everyone else in the family ready first.  They are all looking adorable for every function  before I have even given a thought to what I am going to do to with my own hair.  Any busy mom knows exactly what I mean.  Whatever time is left is what determines your look for the day (good or bad), right?

This is the sock bun before and after of my hair. I have long hair with a cut that includes a lot of layering.  I have a natural wave to my hair and would say it curls very easily. From what I have read, this works on hard to curl hair too.  I do not have to use product for this to work in my hair.

Here are the  step by step instructions on how to make this work.

First steal a sock from your husband’s dress sock collection (that is what I did anyway). I chose a longer, thinner dress sock. Cut off the toe of the sock.

Now roll the sock into a ring. This is now your new favorite hair styling tool, I promise you!  This is all you need to make the curls in the picture above. To do this you start with dry hair.

Put your dry hair into a high ponytail. Get it as high on top of your head as you can. I flip my head over and gather the hair to put into a ponytail.  Secure the hair with a hair tie.

Now spritz just the hair in your ponytail with water.  You do not want it to be  wet.  I would call it slightly damp.  Remember you want it to dry overnight – if it is too wet it will not dry completely.  After you have tried this a few times you will know the perfect dampness for your own hair.

Now grab your rolled up sock and put your ponytail through the hole.  Pull the sock straight up to the tip of your ponytail.  When you pull the sock to the top of your ponytail – slide it back down just a bit.  With the hair that is sticking out spread it all the way around the sock evenly.   After the hair is spread around the sock it should go up and over the sock and then get tucked under the sock.   You should now have all of the ends of your hair neatly underneath the sock ring so you can begin rolling the hair onto the sock.  Start rolling the sock down so your hair is being fed through the hole, then up and around the sock.

Now simply roll all of your hair onto the sock until you reach the base of your ponytail.  Try to keep the ponytail straight up while you roll so that the hair is taught.

When you are finished rolling the hair onto the sock you have a  bun on top of your head.  I’m not going to lie I have dropped off my son at school with the bun in my hair.  There is no need to secure it with anything else.  It will stay put perfectly just the way it is.  Now go to sleep and dream about how beautiful your hair will be when you awake!  In the morning remove the bun and TA-DA!!!  You have a head full of soft pretty curls.

This is my new go-to styling technique. I have been doing this at least four times a week to my hair.   It looks great all down, in a simple ponytail, or half up.  I would do this for a fancy evening out or to curl my hair for an up-do as well.  It gives me such natural looking  perfect curls.  So simple and so beautiful. Anyone can do this.  It is nice to be able to leave the house and not feel like a mess for a change.  This look is quite different from my normal hair in a messy bun because I ran out of time to do anything with it look – and it takes the same amount of time.

How to DIY Underarm Lightening

This is a simple technique to remove dead skin cells and lighten the skin.

Works great for underarm areas and knees.

Items Needed:
Sliced Cucumber
2 tbsp. Olive Oil
1 tbsp. Baking Soda
3 tsp. Lemon Juice

You don’t need to use a whole cucumber, as a few slices will be enough.

In a medium bowl, add ingredients and mash & mix together until pasty.

Apply to areas you want to lighten, underarms, legs and knees.

After about 10 minutes rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry using a soft cloth.

How to keep hair as clean as possible

It is important to keep your hair clean as clean hair is better for your health and your appearance. Clean hair starts with a healthy scalp. Pay attention to they types of shampoos and conditioners you use depending on the type of hair you have dry or oily hair. You should limit exposure to the sun and wear a hat when in the sun for long periods of time. Finally if you have dandruff use a good dandruff shampoo to control it.

Things You'll Need:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner

• Water
• Baking soda

• 
  

• Instructions:

  1. • 1
       You do not need to wash your hair every day. In fact, washing your hair every day drys out your hair and scalp. Your scalp produces natural oils to keep hair and skin healthy. Too much washing can strip away the oils. Washing your hair at least three times a week or even every other day is better for your health.
     • 2
       Wash your hair after exercises like swimming or when it gets dirty, oily and tangled. Use a good shampoo for the type of hair you have. Your local hairdresser or even pharmacist can help you select the right products to use. Brush your hair and try to remove all tangles and kinks before you wash it. Slowly wet your scalp and add the shampoo. Use your knuckles or fingertips to massage your scalp.
     • 3
       Apply the shampoo to the top of your head massaging it into a rich lather. Always work toward the end of the hair line to bring in all strands of hair. Rinse all hair throughly to avoid leaving shampoo in your hair. Squeeze excessive water from your hair and use a towel to blot or rub your head gently. Do not rub vigorously with a towel after washing, as hair breaks easily.
     • 4
       For extra clean hair, use a teaspoon of baking soda with your favorite shampoo. You can mix the two in your hand when in the shower or at the sink. Shampoo as you usually do and rinse well. The baking soda removes buildup of shampoo, conditioners, sprays and mousse used in your hair.
     • 5
       When brushing your hair, use a soft or natural bristle brush. Brush your hair using a downward motion at least twice a day. If possible, let your hair dry naturally after you wash it as the heat damages your hair. Use a good conditioner and avoid hair products with alcohol as they dry hair out. Use after shampooing and massage into scalp being sure to get long strands. Leave it on at least one to two minutes before rinsing it off. It helps to keep your hair shiny and clean.

  
  
  

5 Vital Vitamins for Hair

Your hair is essentially protein based and though it is dead, there is some life in its roots that results in hair growth. Hence, the need for the right nutrients and vitamins for hair will help you boost hair growth. 

1. Vitamin A:

Vitamin A also plays an important role in hair growth. It keeps your hair black and shiny. Vitamin A contains Antioxidants that moisturize the scalp and prevent the hair from drying out. Vitamin A helps in strengthening and thickening of the hair.

2. Biotin Or Vitamin B71:

Biotin is called as the H vitamin and also ‘hair growth’ vitamin by people around the world. It is the one the 12 of the Vitamin B family and favorite of all the hair growth vitamins. It repairs brittle hair and improves the health and texture of the hair.

Biotin is known to work wonders on hair volume and thickness. It aids in the production of fatty acids within the cells, the growth of cells, and many other important processes that involve amino acids and fats. Amino acids, as we know are the building blocks of proteins. Plus they play an important role in the process of glucogenesis too.

3. Vitamin B12:

As the name suggests, this one is also from the Vitamin B family too! And it is very essential to prevent hair loss. This aids in the absorption of iron to the body without which you can lose hair, due to iron deficiency.

4. Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is a hair growth vitamin, that has the ability to cure premature graying of hair and hair dryness efficiently. Daily intake of vitamin C through food items, or supplements is necessary to maintain the health of your hair. 

5. Vitamin E:

This is another vital vitamin for hair growth, as it beats all dry and rough hair troubles! It locks in moisture and protects your hair from drying out, and keeps it shiny. Apart from this, it also keeps the scalp healthy and promotes blood circulation.