To Blow Dry or To Air Dry?

Should the hair be blow dried or air dried?

It is a matter of preference, actually. Some people do not have much time to devote to styling their hair, or want to achieve the maximum styling they can get for their hair, so they opt for blow-drying it. On the other hand, there are some people who think that blow-drying is a waste of electricity and is the quickest way of damaging the hair, so they opt to have it air dried.

Which is better, you may ask?

Both ways of drying the hair have their advantages and disadvantages, and there are proper and improper ways of doing both. Read on and find out what these are.

Air drying. Air drying is usually done by people who have short and low-maintenance hairstyles, or by people with curly hair. There are also people who have long hair yet have their hair air dry, as air drying does not subject the hair to excessive heat. Therefore, the hair is not as susceptible to damage as hair that is blow dried.

If you are going to have your hair air dried, it is very important to remember that the hair is at its weakest when it is wet. So, take care not to rub your hair dry with the use of a towel. The friction caused by rubbing the hair with a towel will make the hair brittle and eventually break. Rather than rubbing it, you should instead blot the moisture out of your hair with the towel. Also, be careful not to tug or pull at your hair that much when it is still wet. Once the water is blotted out of the hair, fluff it out with your fingers.

Blow Drying. Blow drying the hair is the most convenient way of doing it, and because most people live fast-paced lives, blow drying the hair is the way most people want to do it. Moreover, drying the hair using a blower adds volume to the hair. But as convenient as blow drying can be, it is also damaging to the hair, especially if overdone as it can make the hair very brittle.

If you blow dry your hair, make sure that it is not soaking. Blot the water out with a towel first. Do not hold the dryer too close to your head; keep it at least six inches away from your hair and move the dryer constantly around your head. Protect the outer strands of your hair from being over-dried by bending over and blow drying your hair with your hair hanging upside down. Also, try not to dry your hair completely with the blow dryer. Stop while the hair is still slightly damp.

Whether you air dry your hair or you blow dry it is completely your own choice based on your own lifestyle and preferences. But whatever you do, always remember that the hair is fragile. Be careful when handling it.

Publications: Febstore

The secret to simple, sexy hair...

We've all had days when we cannot be bothered with our hair, so wouldn't it be great if there were a few tricks of the trade to help with a sexy, sophisticated do with minimal effort?

Though sleek, straight hair can be sexy, it can also take time and effort if that's not your natural look, so run-your-fingers-through-it volume is the best way to go for effortlessly sexy hair.

Not only does it suit so many fashions and makeup trends, but whether you’re working with wet or dry hair you can achieve a sexy look within 5-10 minutes.

When washing your hair it's all about the products that you use to give your hair a helping hand. Choose a good volumizing shampoo and add a volumizing moose when you’re blow drying. Whilst drying the hair, scrunch your fingers into the hair for added body. When completed, either add a little backcombing from the crown to the root, smooth a little and add some hairspray to secure the height in place.

Either leave the hair down or style however you like. We recommend a mid-height ponytail with a quiff for height or a half-up, half-down look for quick and sexy glam.

A good hair cut can be the key to low-maintenance hair. Next time you're at the salon, get plenty of layers cut into your locks at different heights on the head/hair, depending on the length of your hair. If you have a short bob (Dianna Agron or Pixie Lott) then it will be easy to scrunch in some styling putty or spray and ruffle for a sexy shaggy bob. If your hair is longer (Lauren Conrad) then simply give your hair a flip over the front a quick brush, flexible hairspray and put into place with your fingers. Remember: Less can be more.

**A quick hint: The messy/straight out of bed hair look can work in your favor. If giving it a quick comb through and spray isn't an option, a messy twisted bun (Whitney Port) or ponytail is trendy. Be confident to pull off messy hair and you can make it as sexy as a professionally style hair do.

If you're feeling a little down come the winter weather then why not go for a change in hair color? A rich brunette shade has proved to be the most sexy in some recent polls, so why not go all out and try rocking chocolate brown? It sounds so simple but can inject confidence and appeal in a dated look. Go for it!

A glossy mane is always a head turner and with good reason. There is something about shiny hair that makes it sexy and you can do achieve this look with minimal effort. When jumping in the shower, rather than jumping straight into shampooing, take the time to buy a good deep conditioning treatment. Massage this in first, wash out and then shampoo. Not only will this nourish the root but it will allow the shampoo to penetrate the hair better leave a cleaner look and less residue on the hair. Finish off with a normal conditioner midway up the length of the hair and massage in well.

Though you don't have to deep condition everytime you wash, always condition your ends and keep you hair hydrated. It will appear feather-weight and be easier to manage too.

**A quick tip: Rub a little argan oil into your hands and lightly coat the hair. This will add that extra shine to a night-out do without having to spend hours in front of the mirror.

Finally - sexy hair can be fun. Now that we got some tips on how to have healthy hair and generalities out of the way, why not let your hair down!

Indulge you and your partner in a little fantasy. Instead of tying up your hair with a clip or band, why not try a pencil or chopstick - very secretary-esque. Imagine slipping it out and just letting your hair cascasde down your back. Seeing his face will make it all worth it!

Publications: Febstore

Hair Care Tips

- Brush your hair regularly before going to bed each night.

- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Use very little but enough to cover hair completely with lather. Use a conditioner to keep hair manageable.

- Avoid brushing wet hair. This will cause the hair to stretch and finally break. Finger-dry, or use a wide-toothed comb instead of a brush to gently remove the knots.

- Restrict blow-drying your hair. The process of blow-drying is harsh on hair as it robs off all the moisture.

- Avoid dyes. Use mehandi (henna) instead as a conditioner and colouring agent.

- Take a calcium supplement or drink two glasses of milk a day.

- Always hold hair dryer away from your hair. Direct air from the hair dryer down hair shaft and not directly into the roots and keep it moving.

- After a perm, never brush your hair. Instead comb hair gently.

- Trim your hair once in 7 weeks to avoid split ends.

- Avoid pulling back your hair tightly.

- Never use a rubber band on your hair as it can pull and damage hair considerably.

- Never go out in the sun without having your head covered.

- Stimulate circulation by massaging your head with oil to which some vitamin E has been added. This will make hair soft and silky.

- Never wash your hair with very hot or very cold water.

- Learn to relax. Hair loss can happen because of stress. Eat foods that are rich in vitamin B, C and E.

- Add iron and minerals in the natural form in your diet.

- If your hair is oily, cut down on fried food and fat. Drink plenty of water.

Publications: Febstore

Wedding Hair Styles

Obviously, your wedding day is the most important day of your life. For this reason, you want everything to be perfect, including the flowers, cake, photography, music, gown, and of course, your hair. Along with all the other aspects of the day, your wedding hairstyles need to look better than ever. You will reach a point where you have to decide the type of wedding hairstyles that appeal to you most.

Some brides prefer an updo while other brides like down wedding hair styles. To make your decision, several factors will come into play. For instance, if you are considering a theme wedding, then you should discuss wedding hairstyles with the bridal party to ensure everyone is on the same page. This is important in that you will probably have friends standing up with you that have a variety of haircuts. For example, if you were planning a Victorian style wedding where the women had long, curly hair, the bridesmaid with the short hair would have a challenge to deal with.

Other factors important to consider include the style of your wedding gown, your specific hair type, the type of veil, headpiece, or hair jewelry you plan to wear, the season, and of course, your personal preference. If you will be wearing a wedding gown that has a low-cut neckline, then wedding hairstyles with soft, feminine curls would look beautiful, cascading around your bare shoulders. On the other hand, if the gown were high-collared, then you would want to consider wedding hairstyles that could be worn up.

If you are simply unsure where to begin, keep in mind that traditional wedding hair styles never become outdated. These styles remain very popular and work well with a formal or informal wedding. This type of hairstyle would include an updo, sprayed and pinned into place and then tight curls created at the nape of your neck. Typically, a veil or headpiece would then be attached to the bun or roll at the crown, with soft tendrils flowing freely at the sides.

For many brides, the goal is to look sophisticated and elegant on this special day. If glamour is what you are looking for in your wedding hairstyles, then you could pull all your hair up in a topknot, which would be ideal for framing the face. With a bun created on the crown and then the rest of the hair swept into it, you would see chic contrasting streaks that are gorgeous and definitely glam.

Another option to consider when it comes to wedding hair styles is one that can be worn with short hair. In this case, the hair would be backcombed, as a way of creating fullness. Then, the hair would be pulled back smooth and pinned to create an oval shape. Finally, with a curling iron, you would create delicate curl that would fall just around the front part of the veil and fastened with bobby pins that match your hair color or adorned with gems.

To achieve a romantic look on your wedding day, you can always use a number of hair ornaments or jewelry. Even simple wedding hairstyles can be enhanced with the right accessories. For example, you could wear your hair pulled back in a ponytail but by adding a chignon or beaded wrap, you have taken an everyday hairstyle and transformed it into a beautiful and romantic wedding style. Even wearing your short hair down, you can add small pin curls and jeweled barrettes to create an elegant look. Other options to enhance wedding hairstyles would be to interweave lace, ribbon, or matching gown fabric in your hair.

With a little creativity, the options for creating that fairytale look are endless. You might consider rolling your hair with medium size rollers with your hair just barely damp. Under a dryer, allow the curl to set and then when the rollers are removed, you can use a wide, bristle brush to brush the curls loosely. Then take the hair and twist it up, leaving small strands of the curl out with the rest of the hair secured with the veil or gemmed hair jewelry.

Finally, if you want a fairytale look, you can roll your hair with medium rollers. For the best results, make sure your hair is damp and then once rolled, set under a dryer. Once the rollers are removed, you will use a wide bristle brush to brush the curls out loosely, being careful not to pull the actual curl out and then twist the hair up and pin it. To complete the look, simply work with the curls until a tousled look has been achieved.

Publications:Febstore

Hair Care for All Hair Types

With today’s soft, natural flowing hairstyles it's very important to keep your hair in good condition. Shiny healthy looking hair will attract more attention than an expensive haircut. Hair care for all hair types is just as important as make-up when it comes to looking glamorous.

Whatever your hair type, first and foremost is finding a good shampoo and conditioner. Whether your hair is curly or straight, thick or fine, dry, frizzy or color treated, choosing the right products is very important.

Very fine or thin hair will need a good bodybuilding shampoo and conditioner, to add body and volume to the hair as well as condition and shine. Great examples of these are Biosilk volumizing shampoo and conditioner, or silk therapy thickening shampoo. Try finishing with Joico's Body Luxe thickening elixir, a great styling product which will give fine and thin hair the added body, volume and shine it needs.

Adding curl to fine hair will also give the appearance of more volume.

Thick hair is much easier to deal with, just as long as you choose a good shampoo and conditioner to keep it looking lustrous. A good choice here is CHI organics olive nutrient therapy, used together with a CHI flat iron or curling iron; you can achieve the glowing salon look for yourself. Thick hair, although heavy, does not need to be a burden.

Curly hair will need 'taming' to keep it looking its best while dry, curly hair will need a curl definer to separate and control the curls. Joico's curl definer creme/gel while work well with both these hair types. Also, try adding Joico curl activator, a lightweight spray for thin, flyaway curly hair. Whether you want to keep your curls or straighten them out, CHI tools provide the answer here too.

Color treated hair or damaged hair will need to be handled very gently and given extra special treatment. Over-colored hair, especially when lightened, can become very porous, making it weak and inclined to break. Color Endure shampoo and conditioner from Joico will strengthen and control your color treated hair and keep the color longer.

Damaged hair will benefit from Joico's K-Pak shampoo and conditioner to rebuild, reconstruct and strengthen, as well as protect; leaving hair as healthy and shiny as it should be.

Frizzy hair requires a great deal of care and attention, needing specialist products to tame and style. Biosilk's silk therapy treatment has everything you need to take care of frizzy hair and leave it with shiny bouncy curls, or sleek and smooth when straight.

Taking the time to look after your hair is as important as the time you spend on your face and wardrobe. Even the prettiest woman in beautiful designer clothes can look awful with dry, unruly, or limp and dank hair.

Try different shampoos and conditioners until you find the right one for you, and choose a product which will help you achieve the style you're aiming for, whether that be sleek and straight or bouncy and curly. Whatever your hair type, the right products will bring it under control and leave it looking glorious.

Products: http://www.febstore.com/brands/chi