How (and Why) to Use Dry Shampoo

Beauty Refresher:

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Now that you know some clever ways to use dry shampoo, let's back up a little bit and explore how this multitasking miracle product actually works. Discover how (and why) you'll want to make this waterless styling product a part of your hair regimen when you keep reading.
Why use it? Hairstylists agree that shampooing daily can do more hurt than good to your hair and scalp. Using a dry shampoo, however, can refresh your hair without the excessive stripping and dulling properties of a liquid shampoo.
How does it work? The primary ingredient in dry shampoo is a powder or starch that absorbs the oil from hair follicles. Many formulas also include essential oils to nourish the scalp.
How do you apply it? Apply the product (whether it's in powder or hair-spray form) to the roots where needed, allowing a few seconds for the dry shampoo to absorb the excess oils. Next, massage into the scalp and brush your hair to distribute the product from roots to ends. You can also apply the dry shampoo directly to a brush if you're in a hurry. And for a true fringe benefit, sprinkle dry shampoo on your freshly washed bangs to keep oil slicks at bay.

How to Use Vinegar For Hair and Skin Care

5 Surprising Ways to Use Vinegar For Beauty

Many common kitchen ingredients are just as useful in the bathroom. In fact, I turns to vinegar for many DIY hair and skin care remedies.  If you don't have the time to wait for this international beauty product to arrive (or are looking for something a little more practically priced), pick up a bottle of apple cider vinegar at your local grocery store. And to get tips — along with a few of ours — for using vinegar from head to toe, just keep reading.

• For smooth skin: "Because vinegar is acidic, it closes the pores of your skin and makes it extremely shiny,". That's why I recommend mixing vinegar with your body cream. "It also gives a nice smell without having perfume,".
• For shiny, brass-free hair: "Most of the time women don't rinse shampoos and conditioners very well, so hair is [left] heavy and not shiny enough,". To avoid this, I suggests applying five drops of vinegar (mixed with cold water in a bowl) into the hair and scalp after shampooing, conditioning, and rinsing. But instead of washing it out, leave it in to degunk and debrass your strands.
• For a healing bath: Mix a little apple cider vinegar in your bath water to let the anti-inflammatory properties soothe your itchy skin.
• For a clean scalp: Apple cider vinegar has natural antifungal properties and therefore can help eliminate a flaky scalp caused by dandruff. Create your own cleansing shampoo by mixing a solution that's half water, half apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle and apply.
• For a clear face: Vinegar balances the pH of the skin and acts as an astringent on oily complexions. Stir up a half-and-half mixture to use as a toner before your daily moisturizing routine.

Shampoo Tips:

 4 Signs That You're Not Washing Your Hair The Right Way

Summer's freak rainstorms and high humidity bring more bad hair days than not, but the culprit could likely be in the shower. Shampooing seems like one of those no-brainer steps that we don't put much thought into (lather up, rinse, on our way), but it's actually fundamental in making your hair look and act like the best version of itself -- not to mention helping styling products work better. We've amassed four ways you might be washing your hair wrong.
Not getting hair wet enough. This is a big one. It's likely that you're rushing, even multitasking in the shower, so you won't be late to work, and immediately plop shampoo on top of your head the second you step in. But take a step back, hair should be soaking wet first. Think about it: the same way a dirty pot is easier to clean after a soak in warm water, your hair and scalp will be much more receptive to cleansing once every part is wet.
Shampooing the ends. Don't do this. Focus shampoo on the scalp where oil is produced. Refrain from reenacting your own personal Herbal Essences commercial and lathering all your hair into a big soapy pouf. Then ends of your hair are the driest, and shampoo will only draw out more moisture. (The same rule applies to conditioner, but reversed: No need to apply to your roots, which will only make them greasy. Target the drier, more tangly ends.)
Washing too often or not enough. We read all the time that you should space out washes as long as possible, but it's not a one-size-fits-all rule here. Some can go a week, while others need to wash everyday. Know your hair type and when it needs cleansing. Experiment by stretching out or increasing washes, and see how your hair responds. Curly hair tends to be more dry and can go longer without washes, while straighter hair can look greasier sooner. Those who are more active and exercise regularly should find a formulation that gentle enough for everyday use. Also, if you have an aversion to fluffy, freshly-washed hair, spot treat areas of the scalp that tend to get oiler first -- particularly around the crown and the top of the head.
Letting residue build up. Dull, blah hair? Do you load in lots of stylers and hairspray every day? After a while that product will start to build up and weigh hair down. Clarify once every few weeks to give your hair a fresh start (any more than that isn't necessary). You don't need to strip your hair to make sure it's squeaky-clean. Find a formula that will get rid of product, but won't dry out your hair's natural moisture. Hair that's entirely deplete of moisture will overcompensate by producing more oil.

HAIR MYTHS

Does Hair Grow Faster In The Summer?
Since we do eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in the summertime, we were wondering if our good behavior paid off in stronger, longer hair.
"There may be a slight increase in the rate of growth," but it’s really marginal. A natural hormonal shift and increase in UV may contribute to some changes, but again I must stress it's marginal.
Well if there's nothing to back up this claim, why is it such a widely-circulated rumor? "More highlights and sun oxidation can cause the demarcation between base and scalp to be more apparent than in the winter months," This contributes to the myth.
Conclusion: There is no direct link between warmer weather and increased hair growth. Hair lightened by the sun may give the illusion that hair is growing faster
Hair Growth Tips: Do Regular Trims Really Make It Grow Faster? We girls have heard that regular trims will actually make our hair grow faster since the day we were born. We've probably even dispensed the advice ourselves at some point, but based on what? Is there actually any science behind it? "Cutting the hair will have no influence on its rate of growth," that is something that is predetermined genetically.
So while haircuts may not make our hair grow faster, there are a few other factors to consider. "The rate of growth can be influenced by any number of variables, including general health, dietary habits, and endocrine function including thyroid, low iron or anemia," All of these have the capacity to influence hair growth and loss cycles.
But those routine salon visits are not for naught. "The benefits of regular trims are many and varied," They will aid in keeping the ends from splitting and looking frayed, thereby giving the appearance of healthier and longer hair. When ends split and are severely damaged, they can cause breakage and that breakage travels up the hair shaft, which leads to playing catch-up. It can be easy to skip hair cuts when the only goal in sight is long hair, but this is when we should actually be on top of it. "Many people make the classic mistake of forgoing trims because they are growing their hair longer. "This is in fact the time to be most attentive to the care of the hair, and that should include a trim every six (perfect world) to eight weeks."
The conclusion: False. Ultimately regular trims do not make hair grow faster (health and diet factors play heavily here), but if you want length without the damage, stick to routine salon visits to get your longest, healthiest hair. on average, hair grows approximately half an inch per month, so by trimming a quarter inch every eight weeks or so there is the potential for a net gain of four and a half inches per year.We were more than a little intrigued when we heard that there might be a correlation between the summer's heat and increased hair growth. While it's one of the wilder beauty myths out there, we decided to get a pro's take on this potentially-awesome phenomenon.

Summer Hair Care: 4 Ways To Save Your Strands From Heat, Chlorine And UV Rays

Don't Ignore The Signs

"The most common signs of damage during the summer are dryness, static and frizz. All the moisture from the hair cuticle is taken out by the sun, saltwater and chlorine leaving the hair very dull. To protect your hair from these elements, rinse frequently with fresh water and spritz with a nourishing treatment after you get out of the water to keep it hydrated and protected

 

Ride The Waves

"Styled correctly, your curls can be as vibrant as ever,". "You need to style with a product that holds and adds moisture; apply to wet hair and allow to air dry. Once dry, squeeze in some defrizz serum to soften, yet maintain curl definition. Of course, there is another option: If you have thick, curly hair and it is weighing you down in the heat, cut it off! Go for short, textured styles to gain more freedom. Plus, it's trendy and sexy!"

 

Lather Up Richly

"Moisturize your hair as you would your skin. Women should look for moisturizing shampoos and conditioners that are rich in proteins rather than sulfates that strip and dry hair out. If you do blow dry it, make sure you put it on a warmer setting as opposed to high heat. Stick with a great leave-in conditioner as it brings frizz down and conditions while giving the hair texture. And be sure to get frequent trims so that your ends stay healthy."

 

Lock In The Moisture

"When you apply oils or creams to damp hair it helps seal the cuticle and lock in moisture,". "I always apply product starting at the ends and working my way up. Using a hair mask at least once a week is key in helping hair stay moisturized through the summer. When in the shower, I suggest applying the mask then putting a shower cap on to help it penetrate. Leave it on for at least 5 minutes to achieve great results."

Baby Steps to Blond: How to Go Light Without the Fright

Summer is an optimal time to lighten your hair color, but first things first: Can anybody be a blonde? While blond doesn't necessarily work for all people, everyone can embrace their inner blonde when need be.

Luckily, we've come a long way from the brassy, unhealthy-looking blondes of yesteryear, allowing even the darkest of brunettes to achieve perfectly flaxen strands.  Thinking about lightening up this season but feeling a little gun shy? Tips for baby-stepping your way to the right hue when you read more.

• How to choose the ultimate blond: The best hair color coordinates with the person, so that's why we look to the flecks within the eyes — the actual color of the eyes — and the skin tone when choosing what formulation we will use. "If you have a pink skin tone, "you have to go more on the cooler side of blond." But for someone with brown hair and golden flecks in the eyes, like Jessica Alba, you can add lighter, warmer highlights.
• Getting your feet wet: Of course, personality matters too. To test the sandy-haired waters,we suggest you follow  "blondette" concept so that you incorporate a bit of caramel-hued pieces into your hair. "It's medium chocolate with golden highlights — like the Hershey's bar,". Think Jennifer Lopez and Natalie Portman.
• Setting the tone: Just remember that if you're a brunette going blonde, then toning is a must. "You just can't lift the color; you've got to always fill it somehow and redeposit color so you get that golden, gorgeous tone."

How to Make Hair Grow Faster?

The question of how to make hair grow faster often comes up when beauty is the topic of discussion, but the truth is that you cannot do anything to increase the rate at which your hair grows. Genetic makeup has total control in that arena. Typically, a hair stand will grow half an inch every month, that is, if it doesn't fall out.
What many people confuse with growth is fullness. Instead of asking how to make hair grow faster, you should be asking how to make hair last longer. You can't control growth, but sometimes you can control how fast strands fall out. Ultimately, people who believe their hair doesn't grow quickly probably tend to break strands. This keeps hair short.
Hair Loss Myths

1. Losing hair is not normal. Actually, it is completely normal to lose some hair each day. On average, a person may lose 50 to 100 hairs every day. Hair falls out in strands or small groups. A large clump of hair falling out is different and may be a caused by illness or a reaction to medication. Hair loss can also be caused by genetic particularities such as male pattern baldness.
2. Shaving your head will make hair grow faster. Nothing changes just because you shave your head. Hair will still grow at the same rate.
3. Frequent trims will help improve hair growth. This is a bit of an optical illusion. Your hair is not actually growing faster, it is growing healthier. Split ends will break a hair strand off, making it shorter. Haircuts remove split ends and preserve the strand, so it can continue to grow.
4. How you treat your hair will affect the growth. This is true. Constant coloring, styling, and product application make hair dry and more likely to break. Healthy hair strands survive longer than dry, brittle ones.
5. As you get older, you have less hair. True. Aging causes hair growth to slow and hair to thin. This is part of life's cycle.

How to Make Hair Grow Faster?
You can't, but you can make it seem to grow faster. Healthy hair grows better, not faster. Here are some things you can do to improve the health of your hair. The longer a hair strand survives, the longer it will grow.

• Take it easy when styling. Avoid blow dryers and heated curling when possible. If you can, let your hair air dry.
• Comb your hair only when it is dry. Wet hair is elastic. When you pull a comb through it, it is more likely to break. Use a flexible plastic wide-tooth comb with smooth teeth. The fewer traumas to strands, the better the hair will grow.
• Grooming is important, but don't over-wash your hair. Washing hair removes the natural oils that moisturize your hair. Instead of daily washing, try using conditioner only on some days. This wets hair so you can style, but does not strip out the oils.
• If you have a medical condition, such as eczema, dandruff or psoriasis, see a dermatologist. Scratching your scalp will damage hair follicles and break strands.