Healthy Tips - Silky and Soft Hair

HEALTHY BEAUTY TIPS

How to keep your  HAIR healthy and perfect????

Prologue Before stepping into the shower, comb your hair lightly with a wide-toothed comb to untangle knots. This aligns the strands and prevents your getting out of the shower with a lot of knots. Begin at the ends and slowly work your way up. Never try to rip through tangles from top to bottom. You'll end up with a clump of hair on your comb that could have been avoided if only you'd had some patience!

Water The temperature of the water you use while washing your hair should ideally not be warmer than room temperature. In fact, the best thing would be to use the lowest temperature you can bear. Too cold for you? Well, hair is not sensitive, so you could at least bend over and give the lower part of your hair a final rinse with cold water.

Why cold water? Because cold water helps the hair scales lie down flat, making them stronger. On the other hand warm water opens the hair scales not only causing more frizz but also making the hair shaft weaker and more vulnerable. In addition, the scalp secretes certain oils that are good for the hair. These oils get dissolved in warm water, causing further dryness. Cold water does not dissolve the natural oils. So make the healthy-hair choice and go in for cold water! Brrrrr

Shampooing your hair Start washing your hair at the scalp, because that's where grease accumulates. Gently massage the shampoo into your hair with your fingertips. It is a good idea to dilute the shampoo in a little water in a mug and then massage it on your scalp. This way the shampoo is even gentler on the hair.
- While applying shampoo to your locks, leave them hanging down instead of piling them on top of your head as though you're posing for a shampoo commercial. Piling up your hair only leads to more tangles. Let it hang naturally so the lather works its way from the root to the ends.
- Try not to churn your hair too much. Work the shampoo gently so the strands don't get untangled and result in unbearable knots. If you have long hair, apply shampoo to your scalp, divide it into sections, and massage each section gently with the shampoo from roots to ends.

Go gentle while rinsing The best way to wash out shampoo is to keep combing it with your wide toothed comb while rinsing it out under the shower. This helps in the de-tangling process and also helps the shampoo to rinse out better. While you rinse your hair, do not rub it harshly. Hair is at its most fragile state when it's being rinsed. The correct way is to just simply let water run down your hair.
- Remember, it's best to rinse hair under running water. Dunking it in a tub is not so effective as residue may still remain. You have to make sure you've rinsed out all the shampoo. Once you are fairly certain it's all gone, stay under the flow of water for another half minute or so, to be doubly sure. Wrap your hair in a soft,absorbent towel - and voila! You're done!

ESSENTAIL FOR FALLING HAIRS:

Does your hair fall often Arm yourself with these tools to combat hair fall.

Wide-toothed comb Get yourself a wide-toothed comb. This is probably one of the most important yet underutilized of all hair tools. A wide-toothed comb helps you distribute conditioner evenly all over your hair while shampooing and conditioning. In addition, it also helps get rid of knots smoothly.

The best time to get rid of knots is during conditioning. Apply conditioner and run a wide toothed comb gently through your hair.

·  While untangling dry hair, do so in sections. Take one section at a time, and first, untangle the ends of your hair. Do so slowly, and don't pull unless you want your hair to fall out in clumps or break.

·  Don't wait for the last minute before detangling your hair. Every night, while sitting in front of the television, run a wide toothed comb gently through your hair, until you have untangled it completely. Do this every night, and you will notice that your hair remains free from tangles.

Leave-in conditioner
Dry hair tends to tangle easily, and, needless to say, causes it to break. Make sure your hair is never devoid of moisture by always keeping a bottle of leave-in conditioner handy. The next time you feel your hair is dry and rough to the touch, simply rub a dollop of leave-in conditioner between your palms, and apply it to your hair. Comb through with your wide toothed comb. Your hair will be instantly rejuvenated and moisturized. Gradually, the texture will also improve. This is a must if you blow dry your hair regularly, or if it is chemically treated. Such hair constantly craves moisture, so get yourself a bottle of leave-in conditioner.

Oil
Olive, almond and coconut oils are all excellent for the hair. While you could apply oil as an alternative to leave-in conditioner, oil tends to make your hair sticky, and you cannot style your hair well after applying oil. Your only alternative would then be to tie up your hair. For better results with oil, apply just a few drops immediately after washing your hair, when your hair is still dripping wet. Oil doesn't penetrate the strands as easily as leave-in conditioner does though. Nothing beats a hot oil massage followed by a steam treatment, as the steam helps the oil penetrate the hair strands, strengthening them and curtailing hair fall.

Egg
Egg is great for the hair - there are no two ways about it! True, it causes a tremendous stink in the bathroom, and your hair may let off an 'eggy' smell, but the results are instantaneous and worth it! Egg strengthens your hair almost immediately, and the egg yolk leaves your hair shining. Whip an egg with two tablespoons of olive oil and apply it to your hair. Wash off after half an hour. Make sure you wash off with cold water though, or the egg will start cooking in your hair, and would be harder to take off! Use a scented shampoo to counter the smell of egg in your hair, and follow up with a leave-in conditioner. Do this for a month, and you will be amazed by the change in your hair texture and the reduction in hair fall.

HAIR FALL PREVENTIONS:

Does your hair fall a lot? Don't worry, you're not alone. Millions of people from all around the world suffer from dry, brittle and weak hair. Some of the possible reasons for falling hair are: 

• Tension
• Too much work
• Illness 
• Poor diet 
• Over-exposure to the sun
• Perming
• Amateur bleaching
• Too frequent and inexpert use of tints, rinses or other colourants 

Here is what you can do to prevent hair fall

• Shampoo regularly. Remember, a CLEAN scalp is a HEALTHY SCALP. 
• Brahmi amla oil also promotes hair growth. 
• A high protein diet with plenty of fruits, green vegetables and dairy products is a must. 
• Drink 10-12 glass of water everyday. 
• Use a very mild shampoo and condition your hair at least twice a week. When you do, make sure you rinse out the conditioner thoroughly, otherwise residue build-up will cause your hair to look limp and dull. 
• Know your vitamins! IRON is important for healthy hair and brittle, limp hair indicates an iron deficiency. Spinach has a good iron content, so gulp it down!
• ZINC helps prevent hair loss and greying. Eat adequate zinc rich foods. Overweight people tend to have zinc deficiency, which is inversely related to the body mass index. Thus if you are overweight and if your hair falls too much, you may want to increase your intake of zinc containing foods. Recipes containing stone ground, wholegrain flour are rich in zinc. 
• A shortfall in VITAMIN B may cause dandruff, falling hair, loss of colour and could encourage grey hair. So B group Vitamins are essential for gloss, colour and thickness. 
• VITAMIN C ensures the health of capillaries supplying blood to hair follicles. Make sure your diet includes plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. 
• VITAMIN E encourages hair growth. Switch from refined flours to wholemeal and wheatgerm, eggs, vegetable oil. 
• COPPER stops hair from falling. Studies show that the copper content in the blood serum of people with falling hair is less than normal. Different types of alopecia (falling hair) are seen to have a deficiency of this important trace element. Include small quantities of nuts, especially cashews and peanuts, seeds, whole milk and beans in your diet as these contain minute but important amounts of copper. 

Homemade remedies for preventing hair fall: 

1. Apply almond oil on scalp and massage. 
2. Grind fenugreek seeds in water and apply on your scalp. Wash off after 40 minutes. Do this every morning for a month ¡V if it suits you! Remember, different treatments suit different types of hair.  
3. Massage warm castor oil + almond oil into your scalp gently. Wrap a hot towel around your scalp so it gets absorbed into the hair. Do this twice a week for healthy, shiny hair. 
4. Add 2-3 drops of honey to a glass of water and use this as the last rinse after shampooing. 

Quick Hair Care Conditioner 

Mix 1 egg, 2 tbs castor oil, 1 tsp vinegar and 1 tsp glycerine. Beat until frothy and massage lightly into your scalp. Wrap your head in a hot towel, steam, then wash off. This conditioner makes hair thicker, shiny, soft and manageable. 
 

Honey Conditioner Beat 1-2 eggs (depending on the length of the hair), 1 tsp honey and 2 tsp olive oil. Massage gently into the scalp. Steam, and shampoo after an hour. 
 

Alcohol Conditioner Beat 1-2 eggs with 2 tsp brandy. Massage into your scalp. Leave for 10-15 mins. Rinse well. The egg nourishes your hair and brandy stimulates hair growth.

Your hair is a vital beauty asset, requiring constant loving care. And with a little nurturing, lush, glossy hair will be yours. 

HOW TO USE STRAIGHTENING IRONS:

Straight silky flowing hair is what most women desire. Hair is a women's crowning glory which only appreciates with love and care. Hair care products and hair treatments have been around the world since ages. At present straight hair seems to have captured the hearts of millions of women. Today, a woman with the curliest of tresses can have the straightest of hair. It is no secret that a straightening iron can press out all those unruly waves and curls to a sleek, shiny mane.

Straight hair is easier to manage and there is a chic quality attached to them that makes them a hot favourite amongst women of all age groups. Straightening irons have now become an inseparable appliance for any beauty makeover. If you fancy straight hair but find it difficult to use straightening irons, read on to get some basic lessons on how to use a straightening iron.

Steps for using straightening iron

Here are some easy steps which will help you learn to use a straightening iron. Follow these simple tips and get lovely straight hair falling on your cheeks. This method keeps hair straight till the next shampoo. Sprinkling water and excessive sweating may bring back the waves. Avoid rains and running around too much to maintain the look.

1. Wash your hair using a good shampoo and a conditioner. Dry it using towel.

2. Apply hair protection products on your hair before straightening. You can use a combination of straightening balm and hair moisturiser or a hair serum. Avoid applying these products on the roots of hair.

3. Dry your hair properly before using straightening iron.

4. Brush your hair well so that the hair protection products applied are spread evenly through the hair.

5. Make several sections of your hair using clips.

6. Use thermal protection spray to protect your hair from heat. Spray it on the each section of hair from the distance of about one inch.

7. Plug your hair between the irons and glide it down to the end of hair, just like using a comb. You can use a comb to make this process easier. Start from the top exerting pressure and glide the iron towards the bottom of your hair. Repeat the process for all the sections of hair.

8. Apply smoothening product if possible after you finish straightening your hair. As frizzy hair gets settled your hair will appear smooth and attractive.

Now, that you know the process of hair straightening, all you need is a good hair straightening iron. Avoid using other heating appliances as it can cause hair fall and damage. Make sure that you buy a good ceramic coated hair straightening iron.

Frequent straightening of hair is not good for the health of your hair. You can try it for special occasions. Hair straightening exerts pressure on hair making it weak. So it is necessary that you take proper care of your hair. Oil your hair and massage it regularly to make your hair strong. When you use hair straightening irons, make sure that you also use proper hair care products thus preventing hair loss. All the best!

Do you fancy straight hair? Do you use straightening irons? How often do you use hair straightening irons? To share your experiences, views, and tips, click here.

CURLY HAIRS:

Your head is full of curls that rise like the living dead and seem to have a mind of their own. You've tried everything from straightening your hair to blowdrying it till it's fried, but it's still the same frizzy mess you started out with. What should one do?

First of all, there's good news for curly heads. Ringlets are back with a rage. So instead of burning out your hair with frustrating attempts to straighten it, here's what you can do to control those curls.

Curl Care

Getting curly hair to behave begins in the shower. Wash your hair every third day. On days you are not washing your hair, wet it and apply conditioner. Don't wash your hair everyday if you have curly hair, even if you are using a mild shampoo that claims it is suitable enough for daily use. Of all hair types, curly hair is the driest and most brittle.

Always follow up with a conditioner. Concentrate conditioner on ends, which are the most dry, and rinse out. Towel dry hair and apply a leave-in conditioner. If you don't have any, moisturising lotion is a good substitute! It keeps the frizz at bay and controls the curls. You could also apply a couple of drops of oil to your hair when wet. Remember, when towel drying frizzy hair, pat it down, don't
ruffle it.

For a quick fix for damaged, weak, dull or dry hair, work in a good healthy dose of conditioner on wet hair and expose it to steam for 15 minutes. Then lightly shampoo and rinse.

Curly heads need to apply more styling products, conditioners and oils to control their mane. This leads to build up. Once a month mix an equal amount of baking soda with your shampoo and wash your hair. This removes build up and residue and leaves your hair squeaky clean.

Comb your hair with a wide toothed comb when it's damp and not dripping wet as wet hair breaks easily, especially if it is tangled. Apply a good conditioner and using a wide tooth comb start from the ends. Take as much time as is necessary to avoid stretching or breaking your hair. Never comb curly hair when it is dry and never, ever brush your curls. They'll just open up into frizzes.

When blow drying your hair, use a diffuser attachment. Don't dry it completely; leave it slightly damp or you run the risk of over-drying your hair.

Perfecting the Curl

If you're letting your hair dry naturally, try this: Apply gel or leave-in conditioner to towel dried hair and create curls by twisting locks of hair around your fingers or by scrunching your hair. Or twist sections and clip them up with butterfly clips. Once dry, take them down. Loosen the curls with your fingers.

Wash your hair at night, apply gel or mousse and braid it. The next morning, open out your braids and finger comb your hair for lovely, natural curls.

Fed up with hair that zooms out at the sides as if you've been electrocuted? Pull your hair taut and secure it into a ponytail when it's drying. This way your hair will tend to fall down instead of spreading out.

Frizz Busters

If you tie up your hair in a silk, satin or velvet scarf at night, it will kill some of the frizz. If you catch a case of the frizzies, simply wet your hair. Your mane needs to be kept megamoisturised to fight frizz.

So there you have it. In a world of people with flat, limpy hair that just hangs down, your curls set you apart. Just one out of twenty have curly hair, so count yourself lucky and chuck those straightening irons where they belong. In the bin

GET RID OF DANDRUFF:

Neglecting dandruff can only make it worse. Find a suitable remedy and get dandruff-free hair that become your crowning glory. What is dandruff? Everyone is experiences the dandruff problem some time in their life. Summer is the season which makes you sweat a lot thus giving you an oily and sticky scalp. On the other hand too much of dryness in the scalp can also lead to dandruff. The skin of the scalp is sensitive. Dandruff is nothing but the excessive shedding of dead cells of the scalp. Human body gets rid of dead cells occasionally. Loosing some amount of dead cells is normal but large amount of flaking could lead to irritation and redness. Dandruff is the accumulation of the dead skin in a large amount. Causes of Dandruff There are many causes of dandruff. To begin with an imbalanced diet and constipation can be reasons for a scalp full of white dandruff flakes. Using a shampoo which is not suitable for your hair or excessive use of hair products like gels, mousses and styling sprays can make hair unhealthy. Stress, fatigue, pollution and exposure to cold weather add to the problem even further. It is a known fact that dandruff causes social problems. One may feel shy to attend a social gathering if dandruff is highly visible or is accumulating on clothes and shoulders. A very dry or a very oily scalp is the main cause of dandruff. How to cure dandruff? The market is full of products that can get you rid of dandruff. But if you want to stay away from strong chemical products then there are many natural ways to cure dandruff. These have been developed and have evolved over time. But before you try any method you must ensure that you are following the right diet pattern. Natural ways to cure dandruff Dandruff can be easily cured by adopting some natural remedies. Explore your kitchen and you will find many solutions to cure dandruff right there. Following are some simple remedies to get rid of dandruff naturally. Soak a spoon of fenugreek seeds in water overnight and then grind it into a fine paste in the morning. Apply it all over the scalp and rinse it off after half an hour Add a teaspoon of lime juice into the mug full of water and rinse you hair with this solution immediately after washing your hair Boil beetroot in water and apply the solution to the scalp with a cotton ball every night before going to bed Massage your hair gently with curd and rinse after half an hour Apply a mix of lime juice and amla juice to the scalp. Keep it overnight and wash next day Rinse your hair with one part Cider vinegar diluted with three parts of water Massage your scalp gently with warm coconut oil twice a week Apply Aloe Vera gel all over the scalp for half an hour before taking a bath Massage the scalp with olive oil and keep it overnight Mix a tablespoon of limejuice and crushed garlic. Apply it all over the scalp and rinse after 10-15 minutes Soak a few neem leaves in hot water, filter, cool and rinse your hair with this water Apply onion juice all over the scalp and wash it off after half an hour with shampoo Other than these remedies, ingredients such as honey, brandy, rosemary leaves, henna, carrots, salt, tea leaves and egg white are also found beneficial to cure dandruff. Proper diet to cure dandruff While you are trying out various natural remedies, follow a diet that keeps your hair healthy. For example, Omega 3 Fatty acids found in fishes is beneficial for hair. It is also necessary to have adequate amount of fibers in your diet. One should add raw vegetables and fruits to the diet. Drinking plenty of water is also essential to keep skin hydrated. Intake of fibers and water helps dispel toxins from the body. Carrots, broccoli, spinach and tomatoes are rich sources of Vitamin A, including them in your diet helps fight infections. Dark green vegetables, sprouts, nuts, dry fruits and beans are also very beneficial for a healthy scalp and hair. If you are planning to take vitamin supplements then it is advisable to consult your doctor before doing so. Preventing Dandruff It is not possible to get rid of dandruff completely. One cannot be sure that it will not reappear once treated. Though dandruff is a common phenomenon it can be a cause of concern if it is in excess. Maintaining a healthy scalp is the only way to keep dandruff away. Avoid being in the sun without applying a hair serum. Wear scarves or caps before stepping out of the house. Sunrays are harsh on scalp skin and can harm hair structure. Avoid exposing hair to cold weather. It can cause hair problems including dandruff. Make use of head gears in extreme weather conditions. Wash your hair at least twice a week. In humid weather washing your hair thrice a week is advisable. Select a shampoo which is suitable for your hair texture. Condition your hair after every wash. Some may need mild conditioning and some may need deep conditioning, according to their hair texture. Apply a leave-in conditioners for shiny, radiant hair Avoid combing you hair when they are wet. Use a wide toothed comb. Avoid chemical treatments such as colouring, highlighting, straightening or perming if your scalp is prone to dandruff. Practice stress reducing methods such as meditation and yoga. These healing treatments can have positive effects on physical health and your hair condition too. Dandruff is a tricky hair problem but it is not impossible to get rid of. A few lifestyle modifications, constant hair care, healthy habits and a balanced diet can keep your scalp dandruff-free. So get ready to sport a beautiful mane that you are proud of. Do you have dandruff? What remedies have you tried to cure dandruff? What precautions do you take to avoid dandruff? To share your experiences, views, and tips, click here.

TIPS TO GET A SILKY HAIR:

Everyone desires soft, silky hair. Here are some hair altering tips that can make you proud of your mane. Try it today.

All women and young girls love having silky hair. Having smooth and silky hair is one of the attributes of beauty. Silky long hair is a beauty asset of good looking girls and women. It is easier to tie your hair in any style you like. With proper care of your hair silky hair can be a reality. Natural and safe cosmetic products can make hair silky and soft. Using natural products is not only safe but also make it affordable to maintain your silky hair. These natural ingredients are easy to obtain. Read on to know some beneficial tips to get and maintain silky hair.

Basic tips for maintaining your silky hair

Some basic hair care can go a long way. You should always cover your hair with a scarf when you go out in sun. Avoid using hair dryer regularly; it may damage your hair. Eat lots of fruits, green vegetables and drink lots of water. This is not only important for having a healthy body but also essential for good hair. Avoid combing on your wet hair and always use wide toothed comb.

Try to use natural conditioners rather than using harsh chemical products. Avoid hairstraightening if your hair is curly and do not perm your hair if it is straight. It might lead to hair damage. Always use mild shampoo for your hair. Avoid colouring your hair with artificial colours unless necessary. Do not iron your hair. Frequent ironing may cause damage to your hair. Loving your natural hair is the best way to stay away from hair fall and damage. Here are some simple but great remedies for getting soft, smooth and silky hair. Try these tips mentioned below and find out which one works best for your hair.

Tips for getting silky hair

Follow these tips to make your hair more silky and soft. It will require some ingredients which are easily available in market. If shiny hair is what you desire then know that dream is soon going to be true.

• Use almond oil to massage your hair one day before washing your hair. Frequently massaging your hair with almond oil will help you to get silky and soft hair. Massaging is good for improving blood circulation and getting stronger hair.
• Apply paste made out of the leaves of hibiscus plant on your hair. Let it stay for 10-20 minutes and then wash your hair to get best results
• Use mixture of shikakai powder, henna (mehndi) powder, amla powder and curd as conditioner to get soft and silky hair
• Mix two whole eggs with four tablespoon of olive oil apply this mixture on your hair and leave it. Wash your hair after 20 minutes, you will find your hair slipping like silk after this.
• Try massaging your hair once in a week with aroma oils to make your hair silky and soft
• Rubbing your hair with hibiscus flower is also a good remedy for soft and silky hair. Soak hibiscus flower in water and then use the same for applying on your hair before hair wash.
• Make a mixture using amla powder, shikakai powder, ritha powder, henna powder, and bhringaraj powder in equal proportion. Add water to this mixture and heat this mixture. When the mixture becomes lukewarm apply gently on your hair. Leave this mixture on your hair for 15-20 minutes and wash your hair without using shampoo to get the best results
• Use mixture of mustard oil, curd and lemon to apply on your hair. Leave this mixture on your hair for half an hour and then wash it
• Use Aloe Vera gel with hair shampoo which is helpful to make it shiny and soft
• Apply boiled apple pulp or pour apple juice on your hair before washing
• Ensure that you have a balanced and protein rich diet which is essential for good, shiny and silky hair
• Always trim your hair after 3-4 months depending on your hair growth. This will help you to get rid of split ends and also maintain the texture of your hair

All these natural and safe ways of getting silky hair can work wonders. Using products with chemical contents is not long lasting and beneficial to keep hair healthy. Use natural products and stay away from harmful chemicals and pollution. This will help you save money on costly hair products. Learn to love your natural hair as natural beauty is real beauty indeed.

How do you take care of your hair? Do you know any natural remedies for silky and soft hair? Do you wish to get soft and silky hair? To share your experiences, views, and tips, click here.

COLOURING YOUR HAIR:

Coloured hair lightens and brightens the face, and makes you look better. Before you decide on whether or not you should colour your hair, ask yourself these questions: Do you have split ends? Is your hair damaged? Has your hair been recently chemically processed (permed or straightened)? If your answer no to all three questions, your hair should stand up to colouring without any problem.

Highlights or all-over colouring?
The first thing you need to decide is whether you want to highlight strands, or if you want to colour your entire hair. Both look good, and what works for you is a matter of personal choice. Here is a quick comparison:

Highlights tend to look good on straight hair, but if your hair is curly, you could opt for colouring your entire hair.

Highlighted hair is, of course, easier on the hair, as only selected strands of hair are coloured and not the entire hair, but once again, if you take care of your hair after colouring, there will not be any damage.

You could colour your hair at home instead of spending big bucks at a beauty saloon, by simply purchasing a packet of hair colour. Various brands of reputed companies are available in the market. However, you will not be able to give your hair fine highlights without professional help.
I have lovely hair. Will colouring ruin my hair?
As long as you look after your hair well after colouring it, the quality of your hair will not go bad. Your hair may dry out a little, but regular oiling would keep the dryness under control. It is a myth that colouring ruins your hair. However, if you neglect your hair after colouring it, if you blowdry it too often and don't bother oiling or conditioning your hair, you will definitely cause it harm. Using colour that is too harsh, or leaving the colour on for too long, may also damage your hair. In any case, your natural hair that grows out will be just as healthy as it always was, and the only portion that will get damaged is the coloured part, so don't believe that your hair will get ruined for life after colouring it! In fact, if your hair is too oily, get it coloured to balance it out.
Should I colour my hair if I have split ends?
If your hair is damaged, colouring it will only damage it further. Wait until your hair recovers before subjecting it to any form of chemical treatment.
Why should I do a strand test?
If you are colouring your hair by yourself, make sure you do a strand test. Many women apply colour to their hair and wash it off only to find that their hair has not caught any colour at all. So colour a very small portion of your hair first, to see how long you need to leave the colour on. If you have curly hair, leave the colour on for less time than that specified, as curly hair is porous, and catches colour easily. If your hair is straight and healthy, it may take a while longer to colour your hair, so leave it on accordingly. After taking the strand test, you will get a general idea as to whether you need to leave the colour on for more or less time.

After-Colour Care
Oil your hair at least once a week. Apply a generous amount of warm oil to your scalp, and massage well, so the oil spreads right to the ends of your hair. After applying oil, whip up the yoke of an egg and apply it to your hair, for extra conditioning. If you like, you could add curd to this mixture too. All of these natural products are excellent for the hair, and provides it with all the nourishment it needs.
Leave the oil, egg and curd on for at least 45 minutes, and then shampoo your hair. Use a gentle shampoo, preferable one especially formulated for coloured hair.
Apply conditioner after shampooing your hair, to prevent your hair from drying. You could also consider a leave-in conditioner, which is preferable for chemically processed hair.
Natural alternative to conditioner:
Another tip for conditioning hair that works well for me is to simply apply curd to the hair after shampooing, leave on for five minutes, and rinse off. Do not apply shampoo again; simply rinse off the curd with water. This conditions your hair rather well, and keeps frizzy hair in check. However, I do follow up with conditioner, for increased protection.
Natural alternative to leave-in conditioner:
Apply 2-3 drops of oil, more for longer hair, to your palms. Rub them together, and apply to your hair

HAIR STYLING TIPS:

Style your hair with care with these tips:

1. Never use a blow dryer on dry hair.

2. Cut your hair frequently. It is better to trim a minimal amount of hair often, than it is to cut off a whole lot once a year, as your hair stays in healthier condition. 

3. If you want a change of style but want to keep the length, get your hair cut in long layers. This also helps remove spilt ends. 

4. Use rubber bands that are covered with fabric when you want to tie up your hair. This reduces breakage. 

5. Natural bristle brushes are preferable to plastic and polyester bristles. They are gentler on the hair.  Unless your brush has natural bristles, you should never brush wet hair, as wet hair tends to snap easily. 

6. If you blow-dry your hair right, there is no reason why it cannot look as good as salon-blow-dried hair. The trick is to blow-dry your hair in sections. 

7. If you section it well, you should be done after 11 or 12 sections, and it should not take you more than fifteen minutes. However, if you randomly section your hair, it may take a lot longer, so be systematic about it.  Another reason to stick to systematic sections is that you will not be blow-drying hair that is already dry, and in this manner you will reduce damage to your hair. 

8. Stick to making sections with the help of horizontal and vertical partings to your hair, and doing blocks at a time. 

9. Make a horizontal parting two inches above the back of your head. Part the rest of the hair in the center, and pile up each side on top and clip it up, using one clip for each side. 

10. Divide the loose hair into two sections, and blow-dry each section with the help of a round brush. 

11. If your hair is very curly, it helps if your blow dryer has a flat nozzle attachment to better direct air. 

12. Move the blow dryer along the length of your hair along with your brush. 

13. After you have got the bottom done, keep moving upwards in sections, until you have finished all your hair. Simply use horizontal and vertical partings to section your hair.  

14. If you are using a straightening iron to straighten your hair, use it with care, and use it sparingly. It can be very damaging if used often, and if you do not follow up with extra care for the hair. 

15. On the other hand, if you are using a curling iron, don�t place the iron at the ends of your hair. Place it around four inches above the ends, and then feed the ends into the iron. Hair ends are the most fragile part of your hair, and in this manner you reduce the damage to the hair ends as you avoid prolonged high heat exposure. 

16. Wearing a leave-in conditioner at all times keeps the hair moisturized and also helps prevent damage caused by exposure to sunlight.  

HAIR CARE IN THE RAINS:

Manage hair easily and keep it looking great even when it rains!

The rains bring respite from the heat of the summer but can leave you frustrated when your hair refuses to behave and stay in style. However, by following a few simple tips, you can manage to keep your hair problems to a minimum and look good.

Do not wash your hair too often

There is nothing better than a nice bath when you just get in from the pouring rain. However, washing your hair too often, say every day, can exaggerate the problems you already face. Washing your hair two or three times a week will keep your hair clean and looking good. At the same time, it prevents excessive drying of hair and keeps frizziness to a minimum. Also, do not forget to condition your hair after every wash; you could use a leave-in conditioner to make dry hair more manageable.

Protect from moisture

Excessive moisture is the biggest culprit during this season. It affects your hair even if you remain indoors, especially on days when the humidity is high. Depending on your hair type, it may leave your hair frizzy or flat. Hair that is fine, wavy, or curly usually tends to absorb the moisture in the air. This makes fine or thin hair fall flat, but people with wavy or curly hair end up with frizzy strands. The best solution to this is to use a humidity-protective gel before styling. These gels help by forming a protective coat over the hair cuticle and preventing moisture from getting in.

You can also follow up with a non-sticky hairspray for extra protection. It is better to use an aerosol, since it gives out a fine spray. A spray with a regular nozzle can give out too much of the product, which can result in clumps of your hair turning sticky later on in the day. Try not to use more than four different hair care products at a time. This will save you time. A normal routine would be to use a shampoo, followed by conditioner, styling gel, and hairspray.

Do not experiment too much

On rainy and extra-humid days, it is usually better not to force your hair into a style that does not feel right. For example, do not attempt to curl hair that is fine and limp or straighten hair that is naturally curly. This is because even a small amount of moisture absorbed by your hair will make it revert back to its natural texture, and your efforts will be in vain. Instead, try and make the most of your natural hair texture by adopting a style that suits you. Rub a generous amount of gel through curls for that tousled look. For fine and straight hair, pulling it back into a ponytail or braid works best.

Choose hair care products wisely

Frizzy hair is usually dealt with by using hair cream or similar products to smooth it down. But this can have an adverse effect, by allowing your hair to absorb moisture and making it look greasy or sticky. During the rainy season, it is better to stick to alcohol-based creams and gels since they have a drying effect on hair. Leave moisturising products for use in the winter months.

Accessorise

If you cannot quite get your hair to behave the way you want it to, do not fret. The right accessories can not only cover up a bad-hair day but can also make a fashion statement. A colourful scarf can cover up most of your frizzy ends, while a funky hairband works for shorter hair. If all else fails, just grab a hat for that slightly bohemian look.

With so many ways to keep your hair looking and feeling great even when it's wet, it is time for you to go ahead and enjoy that rain dance!

Do you have a problem managing your hair during the rains? What special care do you take to keep hair looking good in the monsoon? To share your views and opinions, click here.