| Taking
care of your crowning glory Post Mag - Saturday, 28 December, 2002 Page 17 |
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We
all have bad hair days but avoiding them could be as easy as choosing the
right brush, following are some tips on washing your hair and using good
hair care products! WASHING
YOUR HAIR If
you have long hair you can use your fingers to detangle both during the
shampoo and during the rinse process. You should also avoid shampooing
your hair upside down which tends to create additional tangles. After
washing, gently squeeze the water from each section of your hair working
from the roots out to the tips before combing out. HAIR
CARE PRODUCTS Spoilage
can happen faster depending on extreme heat, cold or even direct sunlight
on the product's bottle. Although gels and hair spray won't
generally spoil there are signs to watch for in determining if your
shampoo and conditioners have. First, the product may begin to separate or
could look clumpy or perhaps thin and transparent at the top of the
bottle. This is more likely to happen if there are several natural
ingredients in the product. Another
sign of spoilage is if the formula appears discolored or yellowish in
color. Last, spoilage can be evident in a deterioration of fragrance or
smelling oddly. Although spoiled cosmetics can cause infections when used,
the good news is that spoiled shampoos and conditioners don't cause much
damage. BRUSHING
AND STYLING YOUR HAIR To
safely clean your brush start by using a comb to remove built-up hair.
Continue the cleaning process by soaking your brush in a solution of hot
water and a few drops of shampoo or mild detergent. Rinse and dry
thoroughly prior to use. Choosing
the correct type and size of brush can also affect the overall condition
of your hair and scalp. Thick, coarse hair that does not need additional
volume can benefit from using a paddle brush because it can create a
smooth look and style. The natural bristles are an excellent way to
redistribute the natural hair oils evenly. The
bristles are also a good way to massage your scalp. A cushion style brush
was also created for use with sleek hair styled in a straight cut due to
its flat back design. However, this brush is best for medium-length hair.
The flat back of the brush reinforces the hair's sleekness. If
you have wavy hair look for a round vented brush with rounded nylon ball
tips that are molded as part of the bristle and not just attached to the
top because they easily break off. Brushing your hair with a brush that is
missing the nylon ball tips on some bristles can pull hair or cause
breakage. Wavy and curly hair may also be frizzy at times when it is dry
brushed, using a wide toothcomb can help avoid frizzy or flyaway hair. If
you have fine hair that is thin a vented brush can help you achieve a
straight look. Use a brush with natural bristles. This will help stimulate
the scalp, which nourishes the hair follicles. A thermal brush can help
provide lift if you hold the hair away from the scalp as you blow dry. A
barrel shaped thermal brush is available in four sizes. When used with the
heat from a blow dryer the metal core of the brush heats up like a hot
roller to create body and curl. If
you have long hair you may choose to remove the tangles with a pick or
wide-toothed comb. You can also use a vented or round brush. The thermal
brush is also available in a flat style for straight hair you can use with
the heat of a blow dryer as described above. Flat brushes are made out of
various materials but again; the metal base is more effective in smoothing
and straightening the hair with the heat of a blow dryer. Choose a brush
that is vented for faster drying time. |
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