A New York City Health and Beauty Blog

How To Style Your Hair With A Flatiron – Straightening And Curling

Women are not always happy with their natural hair texture – ladies with curls often wish to permanently straighten hair, and girls with poker straight strands strive for sexy waves or luscious curls. This desire to change the natural appearance of our hair is also explained by our passion for experiments with our looks in general that is an inherent part of female nature. In this relation a flatiron is our magic wand, a must have styling tool available in a drawer of every contemporary woman. A straightener can really do magic when it’s in skillful hands. This article will throw more light on how to choose and use a flatiron so that you are happy with the result and rest assured about all the risks of hair damage limited.

Step 1 – Control. Is Your Hair Healthy?

If your hair is strong and healthy, with protection, it will easily withstand the test of styling with a flatiron whereas, the action of high temperature is undesirable for dry, weakened locks. It’s not recommended to apply a straightener to very porous hair – you will end up with extremely brittle strands.

Step 2 – Protection. Protect Your Hair With A Heat Protectant.

There’s a wide range of styling products with heat resistance and moisture supply properties on the market. Depending on the styling effect you want to achieve, you may use sprays, mousses or hair mists. The heat resistant ingredients in these products create a protective barrier between your hair and the plates of a hair straighter which prevents overheating of your locks.

Step 3 – Straightening And Curling. Straighten Or Curl Your Hair With A Flatiron.

You do not have to buy two different tools – a flatiron and a curling iron. You can style beautiful waves and curls as well as smooth out your strands with a straightener.

If you want to straighten your hair, begin the procedure from lower locks at the nape. Pin the top locks, so that they don’t get into the way. Take a thin strand between the plats of a straightener and work from roots to ends. Do not pause in one particular spot for too long. This may lead to local overheating and further brittleness of the damaged section.

How To Straighten Curly Hair Permanently?

The application of a flatiron changes the structure of your hair – your naturally wavy hair gets poker straight. But the effect is temporary. In a while your hair tends to restore its natural texture. That’s why if you want a relatively permanent effect that will last months (up to 6 months), you won’t do without professional straightening procedures, such as Brazilian blowout or keratin treatments.

How To Wave Hair With Flatiron?

With the rising popularity of beach and boho waves, every girl wants to rock them once in a while. If your locks do not respond adequately to salt spray or curl enhancers, or in case you want to achieve more pronounced waves, it’s quite easy to style them with a straightener.

Pin up all the hair, leaving the nape section out. Take the first small chunk between the plates of your straightener (Begin at least a few inches away from the roots.) Rotate the straightener a half turn (for looser waves) or a full turn (for more pronounced curls) on itself. You will be pulling the straightener through towards the tips, releasing the curl. Style all waves away from the face or alternate directions for a messier look.

Style or curl your hair with a straightener

When Is It Harmful To Straighten Your Hair?

It’s dangerous to heat your hair at any temperatures higher than 392°F. If you have strong healthy hair, use a sparing heat regime and apply a heat protectant, you may straighten your hair every day. If your hair is sensitive, it’s better to use a straightener only once-twice a week, taking care of your locks with nourishing and moisturizing masks regularly.

How To Choose A Curling Iron?

Choose high quality plates. All the minor irregularities on the surface of the straightener plates damage hair, making it dull and brittle. Give your preference to a straightener with teflon fiber plates or a ceramic flat iron.

Control temperature. Before buying a straightener, make sure you will be able to control its temperature. At home test your straightener at a low temperature regime and gradually raise it to determine the temperature that’s right for your locks.

Now you know all the secrets of how to straighten hair and style lovely curls. Remember that everything is good in moderation. Use a straightener on the days when you need a special hairstyle and resort to safe heat-free styling in betweens. Same as your body, your hair needs some rest and days off.

Which Celeb Hair Extensions Are Best for You?

celebrity hair extensions

Celebrities seem to have the most amazing hair. Many people falsely assume that they are simply born with it. Instead, celebs seek out the best hairstylists, use the right products, and they often use hair extensions. A few pieces of clip-in hair or a wig can do wonders to your hair. However, it is important to use the right extensions for you.

Colorful Extensions

Colorful hair is really on trend. Instead of coloring their actual hair, a lot of celebs add colorful clip-ins. This style works well if your hair is a little bit longer. This enables the vivid color of the extension to blend with your natural hair color. Most hair textures can pull off this style, but it might be a good idea to add some texture to your hair if it is fine.

Wavy Hair

If you want those perfect waves you see celebrities with on the red carpet, then try adding them in with synthetic hair extensions. These are ideal if your hair is a little bit longer, and they also work a little bit better if you have thicker hair. If your hair is short, these extensions do not always blend as well. Fortunately, they are usually available in multiple lengths to meet your needs.

Short Bob

Extensions are not always about adding length to your hair. There are shorter styles like a bob that you can wear that will add texture and style. If you have thin hair, this is a great option for you. When you use these extensions, it is a good idea to cut your hair in a style that blends well with the added hairpiece. For example, it might look nice to cut bangs or add more layers to your hair.

Weaves

A lot of celebrities wear weaves everyday. If you are going to commit to the weave, then you need to realize that your hair has to be braided underneath. The clip-in weave is the only visible hair that will show. Braiding the hair can be time consuming, but it might be worth it if you do not like the texture of your hair. Weaves are great if you have a hard time styling your hair. They cut down the hair maintenance process.

These are just a few of the most popular clip-on extensions to consider. If you do not want to clip in hair, you can always wear a wig or add hair accessories to enhance your style. These pieces look good on practically anyone. You just have to choose what is right for you. Have fun enhancing your hair so you can look like you belong on the red carpet.

DIY Beauty Recipe: A Lavender-Infused Coconut Oil Hair Treatment

"Applied topically, coconut oil actually does a few things for your hair. First, it nourishes the hair shaft to create a vibrant sheen. It also conditions the hair to restore moisture and repair damage," explains Wendy Rose Gould beauty expert for hair tutorial and advice site Latest-Hairstyles.com. "Also, when applied at the scalp, it can help reduce dandruff and soothe sensitive or itchy skin." Tip: For beauty uses, choose extra virgin, unrefined coconut oil. "Let’s move onto the lavender portion of this two-ingredient DIY hair treatment. Lavender also has numerous benefits. It’s no secret that it smells amazing, and many simply use aromatic lavender for its calming effects. Topically, lavender, like coconut oil, is antibacterial and therefore helps with dandruff. It also helps to soften the hair." What You Need For This Recipe: Small Bowl 2 Tablespoons of Unrefined, Virgin Coconut Oil Fresh or Dried Lavender Springs (or 2 drops essential oil) Measuring Spoons Step 1: Place Oil Into Your Bowl Measure out 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and add it to your bowl. Depending on your hair length, you may want to add more or less oil to the bowl. For medium-to-long hair, two tablespoons should suffice. If your coconut oil has turned to liquid, just measure it out like normal. Step 2: Add Lavender Remove the greens and/or buds from your lavender and place it in the bowl with your coconut oil. If you want to add a little more for fragrance, that’s okay. A few pinches is plenty. Step 3: Infuse Your Lavender Next, we’re going to infuse the lavender into the coconut oil. To do this, create a bain-marie by placing your bowl over a sauce pan filled with water. Turn your heat to low-medium and allow the coconut oil to melt down, stirring periodically. If your coconut oil is already liquid, you still want to do this, as the warmth from the water bath will expedite the lavender oil extraction. Keep your bain-marie going for 45 minutes to one hour, then remove from the heat. Step 4: Cool and Strain Allow your infused coconut oil to set for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it is slightly warm (not hot). Remove the lavender pieces if desired. Step 5: Apply to Hair Work the oil through your hair, focusing on the ends where hair gets dry. You can also focus on the scalp if you’re dealing with itchy, dry skin or dandruff. Let the oil set for 15 to 45 minutes. The longer it sets, the better. Shampoo and style as normal. Step 6: Revel in Softer, Prettier Hair Want to improve your hair even more? Check out Latest-Hairstyles.com's Product + Hair Advice section.

“Applied topically, coconut oil actually does a few things for your hair. First, it nourishes the hair shaft to create a vibrant sheen. It also conditions the hair to restore moisture and repair damage,” explains Wendy Rose Gould beauty expert for hair tutorial and advice site Latest-Hairstyles.com. “Also, when applied at the scalp, it can help reduce dandruff and soothe sensitive or itchy skin.” Tip: For beauty uses, choose extra virgin, unrefined coconut oil.

“Let’s move onto the lavender portion of this two-ingredient DIY hair treatment. Lavender also has numerous benefits. It’s no secret that it smells amazing, and many simply use aromatic lavender for its calming effects. Topically, lavender, like coconut oil, is antibacterial and therefore helps with dandruff. It also helps to soften the hair.”

What You Need For This Recipe:

Step 1: Place Oil Into Your Bowl

 Measure out 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and add it to your bowl. Depending on your hair length, you may want to add more or less oil to the bowl. For medium-to-long hair, two tablespoons should suffice. If your coconut oil has turned to liquid, just measure it out like normal.

Step 2: Add Lavender

 Remove the greens and/or buds from your lavender and place it in the bowl with your coconut oil. If you want to add a little more for fragrance, that’s okay. A few pinches is plenty.

Step 3: Infuse Your Lavender

 Next, we’re going to infuse the lavender into the coconut oil. To do this, create a bain-marie by placing your bowl over a sauce pan filled with water. Turn your heat to low-medium and allow the coconut oil to melt down, stirring periodically. If your coconut oil is already liquid, you still want to do this, as the warmth from the water bath will expedite the lavender oil extraction. Keep your bain-marie going for 45 minutes to one hour, then remove from the heat.

Step 4: Cool and Strain

Allow your infused coconut oil to set for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it is slightly warm (not hot). Remove the lavender pieces if desired.

Step 5: Apply to Hair

Work the oil through your hair, focusing on the ends where hair gets dry. You can also focus on the scalp if you’re dealing with itchy, dry skin or dandruff. Let the oil set for 15 to 45 minutes. The longer it sets, the better. Shampoo and style as normal.

Step 6: Revel in Softer, Prettier Hair

 Want to improve your hair even more? Check out the best essential oils and natural products.

Mastering Taylor Swift’s Best Hair Looks

Taylor Swift’s is a girls girl. She’s uber feminine and definitely the girl you’d love as a BFF. She’s a lover of fashion and simple yet beautiful hairstyle. Here are a few ways that you can master her best hair looks! After combing through Taylor’s hottest hairstyles, celebrity hairstylist Marc Mena whose clients include Marie Louise Parker, Nina Garcia, and Audrina Patridge shows you how you can achieve some of Taylor Swifts best hair looks using Keratin Complex products:

LOOK 1: SMOOTH AND STRAIGHT

Get the look: Taylor Swift

 

LOOK 2: WINDSWEPT WAVES

Taylor Swift Bangs

  • After using spiral curlers to curl the hair, brush out the curls with a round brush.
  • Pump 1-2 pumps of Keratin Complex Shine ($19) and rub between hands. Work though hair from root to tip. Shine’s unique blend of precious oils and keratin protein oils provide a vibrant, silky shine.
  • Follow with 2-3 sprays of Keratin Complex Flex Flow Finishing Hairspray ($25), providing a flexible, brushable hold.

 

LOOK 3: SHINY CURLSTayor Swift Hairstyle

 

LOOK 4: WET-LOOK WAVES

Taylor Swift Wavy Hair

  • After towel-drying hair, spray Keratin Complex Lift off Root Amplifying Styling Gel ($25) on the roots of the hair. The blend of keratin, humectants and wheat protein boost moisture while polymers lift the root with a moveable hold.
  • Follow with 2 pumps of Keratin Complex Vita Volume Boosting Foam ($25) and work into hair from root to tip, while pulling the hair backwards and out of the face. The non-greasy, lightweight mousse moisturizes while lifting the hair and the anti-aging keratin and oat proteins make hair more resistant to damage and breakage.

 

 

5 Natural Herbs for stronger, longer, healthier hair

Five herbs for healthier hair

International Beauty Nutritionist, Paula Simpson, shares some natural beauty remedies in particular the many benefits herbs can provide for your hair. The secret to stronger, longer, thicker hair can all be credited with natural herbs. Here are some examples:

  • Aloe Vera – promotes hair growth by stimulating blood circulation along the scalp & opening up your scalp’s blocked pores that will allow growth of hair follicles
  • Horsetail – commonly found in conditioning products, restores brittle hair to keep it from breaking or thinning thereby preventing further hair loss
  • Peppermint – offers cooling and soothing effects to the scalp which is good as this helps in promoting hair growth & also binds hair roots & encourages better circulation to the scalp
  • Lavender – capable of preventing hair loss as well as in ensuring significant re-growth of hair
  • Rosemary – has been widely used as a solution to hair loss, hair thinning balding or receding hairline