Six habits for longer, healthier hair

It’s not difficult to attain long and healthy hair. Hair stylist Sylvia Chen says, “To ensure that you have a good hair growth, you must incorporate some essentials like washing your hair with cold water, including proteins in your diet and massaging your scalp every day.”

Here are a few tips…
Brush your hair: Brushing your hair at least 50 times a day will improve the blood circulation to your scalp. This also gives the hair follicles a force to grow. You must brush your hair for at least 10 minutes before you go to bed.
Rinse your hair with cold water: Says Chen, “Make sure that you wash your scalp with a blast of cold water after you’ve applied shampoo and conditioner. This will tighten the pores and improve blood circulation to your scalp.”
Go for a head massage: Putting some pressure on your scalp will not only ease your stress and worries, but will also ensure that your scalp receives nutrition, leading to hair growth. You can either get a scalp massage done at home every week or visit a salon for a professional one every 15 days.
Oil your hair twice a week: Apart from getting your scalp massaged, you must also oil your hair every week. Oiling ensures that your hair gets nutrition, thus preventing hair fall.
Tie up your hair every night: Did you know that tying up your hair every night will protect your hair from friction with the pillows, thus preventing hair fall? It also ensures that you do not get split ends and your hair does not become rough.
Follow a protein-rich diet: Incorporate proteins like fish, meat and legumes in your diet to ensure that you have strong, healthy hair. Adds Chen, “Proteins are good for your scalp, as it increases the blood flow and also makes the roots stronger.”

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6 ways to straighten your hair naturally

Avoid using heat or chemical straighteners that will damage your hair over time. Instead, there are healthier alternative ways to coax your hair into the style you want.

Straight hair is stylish, pretty, and convenient, especially for wintertime. The problem, however, is that many of the tools used, such as heat and chemical straighteners, are really bad for your hair. Over time, they dry it out, split the ends, and you end up with straight hair that’s not nearly as attractive as it once was.

Fortunately there are some other methods for encouraging curly or wavy hair to straighten out naturally, without using heat or chemicals. You won’t get the pin-straight look from the iron, but you’ll have healthier hair that’s more or less straight with volume.

1. Brush wet hair until it dries

After washing your hair, let it air dry completely, but continue to brush it every five minutes. Pull out and hold each section of hair for a few seconds to encourage it to straighten out. You can also do this in front of a fan, which is faster, but requires constant brushing.

2. Wrap wet hair tightly

When your hair is wet, comb and divide it down the centre. Comb the left portion all the way over to the right (yes, it’s a combover of sorts) and wrap around the back of your head, securing with bobby pins. Flip the right section over the left side, wrap, and pin in the same way. Let it air dry completely. You can wrap in a silk scarf and sleep on it to reduce frizz.

3. Roll your hair

Use large hair rollers, i.e. the size of soda cans, to roll sections of wet hair and secure them tightly against your head. Let dry completely. This is important, because the slightest bit of moisture can make the curl or wave come back.

4. Use overnight hair hands

Divide damp hair into one or two low ponytails. Fasten with a soft hair elastic, then add additional elastics every inch or so down the ponytail, in order to hold it together. Make sure the elastics are fairly loose so that they won’t leave a noticeable mark on your hair. Go to sleep and let it out in the morning.

5. Twist hair into a bun

If you have fairly obedient, straightish hair to begin with, then this method will likely work for you, though it’s not effective on my stubbornly wavy hair. Make a ponytail of damp hair and twist like a rope. Wrap around itself to make a bun and secure with an elastic. Let air dry, then brush out.

6. Make a natural straightening mask

The Free People beauty blog recommends making a milk and honey mask. Mix 1 cup of whole milk or coconut milk with 1 tbsp of honey and let it soak into your hair and scalp for one hour before washing out.

You can also mix 2 cups milk with 1 egg. Soak your hair in it for 10 minutes, then squeeze out, don’t rinse, and wrap with a plastic cover for another 30 minutes. Wash out and brush dry.

A recipe from Glamrs recommends applying the following DIY straightening mask twice a week for 2 months in order to relax and straighten your hair: 1 cup coconut milk, 5-6 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp cornstarch. Heat at low temperature and stir until smooth. Cool, then apply to hair.

To all of these methods, add a few drops of sweet almond or coconut oil to tame frizz and smooth out the look.

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Primp Tip: How to Make Your Hair Grow Faster

We’ve all been there. You head to the salon confidently, ready to try out a chic new hairstyle, only to realize afterward that the bob or bangs you were so excited about aren’t what you thought they’d be. Whether you’re recovering from a bad cut or hoping for waist-length waves by your wedding day, waiting for your hair to grow can be a rather tedious process.

Fortunately, I have tresses that grow like a weed. (Here’s my hair last summerright after cutting it and just 11 months later.) I’ve been able to donate my hair to organizations like Locks of Love andPantene Beautiful Lengths a total of five times (which requires chopping off 8 to 10 inches at a time). And since I’m often asked what my secret is, today I wanted to share a few tips that I’ve come across.

The average person’s hair grows a quarter of an inch per month. And while there isn’t one miracle cure for faster hair growth, there are several steps you can take to help speed up the process. I can’t say for sure which one of these tricks is responsible for my quick-fire strands, but if you’re looking to add some length to your locks, trying them all can’t hurt…

Try prenatal vitamins.
Most prenatal vitamins contain biotin (along with iron and folic acid), which is said to promote healthy hair growth. Biotin will not only help your hair grow longer faster, but your skin and nails will reap the benefits too. Of course, it is best to consult your doctor before taking a new type of vitamin supplement.

Stick to healthy hair diet.
As you might remember this from Lauren’s Foods for Heavenly Hair post, whole grains, along with foods rich in calcium and the amino acid cysteine all promote hair growth. Cysteine is found in foods including poultry, eggs, red peppers, garlic, onions, Brussels spouts, yogurt, oatmeal, and broccoli. And if you prefer to stay away from supplements like the ones mentioned above, you can get your biotin from nuts (especially almonds and peanuts) egg yolks, soybeans, and fish.

Indulge in a scalp massage.
According to DailyGlow.com, giving yourself an at-home scalp massage increases blood flow to the scalp, which helps nutrients get to your follicles more quickly. So when you’re shampooing or rinsing your hair, try massaging your head with your fingertips to stimulate hair growth.

Time for a little myth busting…

I’ve always heard that frequent trims make your hair grow faster. But the research I did for this post (along with my own personal experience—I tend to go longer than recommended between trims) revealed that tip to be completely false. Since hair grows out of the scalp, trimming the ends will not affect its growth.

That said, split ends could lead to breakage, which makes maintaining your length difficult. To avoid split ends and breakage, keep heat styling and processing to a minimum, and use only non-damaging hair elastics. As I learned from Lauren’s Beauty book, if you tie your hair in the same place every day you will notice a line of breakage where the hair tie hits.

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Six habits for longer, healthier hair

It’s not difficult to attain long and healthy hair. Hair stylist Sylvia Chen says, “To ensure that you have a good hair growth, you must incorporate some essentials like washing your hair with cold water, including proteins in your diet and massaging your scalp every day.”

Here are a few tips…
Brush your hair: Brushing your hair at least 50 times a day will improve the blood circulation to your scalp. This also gives the hair follicles a force to grow. You must brush your hair for at least 10 minutes before you go to bed.
Rinse your hair with cold water: Says Chen, “Make sure that you wash your scalp with a blast of cold water after you’ve applied shampoo and conditioner. This will tighten the pores and improve blood circulation to your scalp.”
Go for a head massage: Putting some pressure on your scalp will not only ease your stress and worries, but will also ensure that your scalp receives nutrition, leading to hair growth. You can either get a scalp massage done at home every week or visit a salon for a professional one every 15 days. 

Oil your hair twice a week: Apart from getting your scalp massaged, you must also oil your hair every week. Oiling ensures that your hair gets nutrition, thus preventing hair fall.
Tie up your hair every night: Did you know that tying up your hair every night will protect your hair from friction with the pillows, thus preventing hair fall? It also ensures that you do not get split ends and your hair does not become rough.
Follow a protein-rich diet: Incorporate proteins like fish, meat and legumes in your diet to ensure that you have strong, healthy hair. Adds Chen, “Proteins are good for your scalp, as it increases the blood flow and also makes the roots stronger.” 

Read more at toc.imedeen.vn

Effective Home Remedies for Hair Growth:

1. Onion Juice:

This is the oldest and the most efficient home remedy for hair growth.

Why?

Onion juice is rich in sulphur that boosts collagen production in the tissues and helps in re-growth of hair.

How To Use:

• Use red onions or shallots
• Chop it into small pieces
• Squeeze out its juice.
• Now apply it on your scalp carefully and keep for 15 minutes.
• Finally rinse off with a mild shampoo.

For better understanding, here’s an excellent post on how onion helps hair growth.

The Summary:

Onion’s high sulphur content helps boost collagen production, thereby promoting hair growth.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar:Why?

The vinegar gently cleanses the scalp and maintains the PH balance of the hair accelerating hair growth.

How To Use:

• Wash your hair
• Use apple cider vinegar as a final rinse after washing your hair to get healthy and shiny hair.
• For 1 litre of solution – mix 75ml of apple cider vinegar to one litre of water
• You may store this entirely or make it smaller batches.
• For smaller quantities, take 15 ml of apple cider vinegar and add it to a cup of warm filtered water
• After washing your hair, using this cup of water as the final rinse.

The Summary:
Apple cider vinegar maintains the pH balance of the hair, and hence helps in hair growth.

3. Egg Mask:

This home remedy is found to be a part of the many cultures all over the world with different variations.

Why?

It contains high levels of proteins which help in the formation of new hair. It is also rich in sulphur, zinc, iron, selenium, phosphorous and iodine.

How To Use:

• Take the white of one egg
• Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil and honey to it
• Mix it all well to form a smooth paste
• Apply it all over your hair carefully and leave it for 20 minutes
• Rinse with cool water and shampoo it off

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Hair masks for dry and dull hair

Battling dry and dull hair? Here are 10 super rich hair masks completely made out of natural ingredients. Try them at home and flaunt your long, lustrous and enviable tresses…

Traditional henna pack
Soak henna mixed with black tea overnight. In the morning, add two beaten eggs, four teaspoons of curd, juice of half a lemon and one tablespoon of coconut or olive oil. Leave this mask on for at least two hours before washing it off with cold water for best results. Use a mild shampoo. 

Protein-rich hair mask for dry and dull hair 

Mix one egg yolk, one tablespoon of castor oil, one tablespoon of honey and cover your hair from root to tips. Put on a plastic shower cap and wrap your head with a towel. Wash off after half an hour and do a final rinse with apple cider vinegar. Using this mask thrice a week will give you excellent results.

Banana mask
Mash two ripe bananas till smooth. Add two tablespoons of mayonnaise and one tablespoon of olive oil. Apply and leave on hair for an hour. Wash hair with lukewarm water. Since bananas are known for its softening effects on the hair, this mask is excellent for ladies who have dull and rough hair.

Potato hair mask
Remove the skin of one large potato and grate it. Squeeze the juice into a bowl. Mix two tablespoons of aloe vera gel to this. Stir well till the mixture becomes smooth in texture. Massage onto the scalp for 15 minutes and then, leave the mask for two hours before washing off. This mask helps in hair growth and combats hair fall.

Coconut cream mask
Take out all the cream at the bottom of a tender green coconut. Put it in a dish and warm it a little. Slowly massage it into your hair from root to tip. Wrap your hair in a warm towel and leave it for an hour. Wash with a mild shampoo and let your hair dry naturally. If done regularly, this pack helps regain your hair’s lost shine and also makes it bouncy.

Coveted avocado mask
Mash avocado pulp and add mayonnaise in the ratio 1:2. Because of its thick and heavy texture, avocado is one of the best smoothening natural remedies for dry and dull hair. Apply the mixture through your hair. Wash off with tap water after 30 minutes.

Methi anti-dandruff hair mask
Soak methi seeds in water overnight. Grind into a paste the next day and massage into scalp and hair. Leave on for 20 minutes before washing off. You can also use the water as the last rinse after you shampoo. This not only reduces dandruff, but also strengthens the hair.

Protein-rich gram flour pack
Soak three tablespoons of black gram overnight and grind it to paste next day. Mix it with one beaten egg, one tablespoon of lemon juice and one cup of yoghurt. Apply to hair and leave on for half an hour before washing off with cold water.

Mask for hair growth
Grind black pepper and lemon seeds in equal amounts. Boil three tablespoons of dried rosemary in three cups of water till the water reduces to less than half. Cool and strain. Dissolve the ground pepper and lemon seeds powder in this solution to make a fine paste. Add a cup of curd to it and mix well. Apply on your hair and scalp. Wash after 15 minutes with cold water.

Hibiscus hair pack
Take a cupful of red hibiscus petals and soak it overnight. Make a paste of it and add olive oil to it. Apply it on your scalp and wash off after an hour for lustrous tresses. 

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5 Tips to protect your hair in winter

Winter means dry and rough hair. To prevent bad hair days during this season, we present five hair care tips on how to protect your tresses while travelling during colder temperatures, inside and out.

Avoid overheating: If you are travelling regularly, don’t overdo it with styling. Over styling with heat-based tools such as flat irons and curling irons are common problems during winter. If you want to style, switch from using a flat iron to Velcro rollers to give hair smoothness and volume. Always remember, while styling, try to pick options that are less taxing on your hair. If you require a blow dryer or flat iron, try using it only once a week. It’s the same with hairdryers, as the heat they generate to blow dry can damage hair. Use a cool air setting instead.

Don’t raise the temperature: We know how tempting it is to indulge in a hot shower during winter, but it can be unfriendly to your locks! Washing hair in extremely hot water is damaging, so try moderate temperatures instead. If you really need to crank up the hot water dial, make sure you apply a deep conditioner in your hair and have a plastic cap on. Turn the dial back down when rinsing the conditioner out. If you wash your hair more often, try to use a non-sudsing shampoo to help protect hair against drying from frequent shampooing. If your hair is oily, using this type once a week will be good. If your hair is dry, then use a non-sudsing shampoo. Daily hair washing will dry out your locks, so wash it two to three times a week to leave in the natural oils.

Use a leave-in conditioner: Regular deep conditioning is a must this time of year, no matter what your hair type is. Coat hair with a deep conditioner, then fasten a shower cap or a plastic bag tightly over the hair, and sleep with it overnight. Rinse out in the morning. Putting hair in styles that keep it out of the way - like a ponytail or quick bun — while using a leave in conditioner for added protection will be helpful. And don’t forget about your scalp, which can become irritated by winter. Avoid dry flaky scalp by getting hydrating and stimulating scalp treatments.

Safely secure your hair: A common way to secure hair when outside is with hair pieces. Secure your hair with bobby pins or elastic bands that do not contain metal components, as these pieces can cause breakage when they’re removed because hair becomes tangled or wrapped around the metal. Opt for elastic bands wrapped only in fabric or small clear elastic bands which are perfect for the ends of a braid.

Protect your hair outside: Whenever you are stepping outside in the cold, keep your head/hair covered. If you’re using a knit cap to cover your head, wrap asilk scarf on your hair first. This will provide a protective barrier from your hat and an extra layer against the elements. Use hats with a satin or silk lining wool, cotton and other fibers not only absorb moisture but also rub on the hair strands, which can be damaging. Hoods are also a great option.

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