Entries Tagged 'Hair' ↓

Things from nature can add to natural beauty. Look around the yard, kitchen cabinets, and in the refrigerator before heading to the cosmetics department.

From the yard:

• Aloe Vera-it protects and heals skin. As it dries, it will also slightly tighten up sagging skin. Cut a piece of Aloe Vera off the plant. Trim off all spines. Open from the base where it is cut and slightly separate the sides. The inside will contain gel and juice that can be applied to skin. Store in a airtight container or plastic bag. Use within a few days. Aloe Vera gel can be applied to eyelashes as a mascara alternative.
• Lemons-has several uses as a beauty aid. To lighten discolored elbows, cut lemon in half and hold cut end on elbow for about 10 minutes then wash and apply lotion. To exfoliate skin, rub a cut lemon and sugar on skin 1-2x per week. It will also help age spots and freckles lighten. Especially blond haired people will benefit from using the juice from one lemon mixed with a cup of warm water as a hair conditioner. A few tablespoons of lemon juice mixed with olive oil rubbed into the scalp will treat dandruff problems. Soaking feet in lemon juice, olive oil, and milk will make feet soft and smooth within weeks.

From the kitchen:

• Coffee-use the left over coffee or run the water through used coffee grounds. Brunettes can use this to rinse hair. Be sure coffee is completely cooled.
• Olive oil-warmed it can be used as a hot oil treatment for hair. It can also be rubbed into troublesome dry spots on skin.
• Vinegar-can be used as a hair rinse and help control dandruff.

There are many recipes for beauty products, which use natural ingredients from the kitchen.

Clean, conditioned hair is the best start for beautiful hair. Knowing your hair type will help you choose the best hair care products for your hair.

To find out what type of hair you have, take a tissue and dab it on your scalp, the second day after washing. Look at the tissue.

• No blot on tissue-dry hair
• A blot on tissue-balanced (normal) hair
• Hair strands stuck together-oily hair

Other factors in knowing the type of hair you have is:

• Texture-this is the circumference of hair. Course hair has the largest circumference and fine hair the smallest, with medium in between the two.
• Density-determined by the number of hair strands per square inch. Average is 2,200 strands per square inch for medium hair density. Thick or thin hair will have a count on either side of that.
• Porosity-how the hair absorbs moisture is determined by the scales of the hair shaft being compact (low porosity) to raised (high porosity) with normal in the middle. Feel hair when dry and when wet. If dry hair feels straw-like and rough, or if gummy or slightly rubbery when wet, then the hair is overly porous. Caution should be used with hair chemicals like coloring, strengtheners, and perms.
• Elasticity-when hair is wet take strands from four different areas on head. Stretch hair to determine its elasticity. If it returns to previous length then it has good elasticity, if it breaks or doesn’t return to its previous length then hair has low elasticity and is prone to breakage and damage.
• Wave pattern-hair can be straight, curly, very curly, or coiled.

Once hair type is determined then hair care products can be purchased to match the hair type so hair will look the most beautiful after washing and conditioning. Alternating a clarifying shampoo and conditioner with the usual hair care products will keep hair free of build up.

Vinegar isn’t just for Easter time.There are a wide range of uses for vinegar. It is commonly known it can be used for cleaning (never mix with bleach though!). What is less common is how vinegar can become part of a beauty routine and increase the effectiveness of a diet. Cider vinegar is inexpensive and can be picked up during regular shopping trips to the grocery store-no special ordering needed!
Apple cider vinegar has been reported to do the following:

• Stop dandruff
• Clear skin
• Regulate blood sugar

To stop dandruff-wash hair as usual. Use diluted apple cider vinegar to rinse hair. Try using your usual conditioner before rinsing and then after rinsing to see what works best for you and your hair type.

To clear skin-mix one cup water and 2 tsp cider vinegar on trouble spots. Vinegar has a high pH and can assist in stopping breakouts on skin. With this and any new product, always test it first. Some people choose the skin on inner upper arm to test because if there is a problem it is not noticeable.

To regulate blood sugar-2 Tbs in salad dressing or dissolved in water helps prevent blood sugar from spiking, especially after high-carb meals.

Stable blood sugar levels have the following benefits:

• Decreased hunger
• Reduced cravings
• Less mood swings
• Increased energy

Ways to add cider vinegar to diet:

• Drink a glass of water with cider vinegar mixed in about an hour before meals.
• Splash a little cider vinegar on vegetables.
• Use cider vinegar in salad dressings.

External beauty can be enhanced by incorporating vinegar in beauty and diet routines.