How to Make Your Hair Shine for a Big Night Out

The evening promises to be anything but dull, so make sure your hair isn't either! Turning lackluster locks into a lustrous mane is easy – if you know a few tricks.

1. STEP 1

   Start with a high-quality shampoo

   Wash your hair with a high-quality shampoo designed to help maximize shine. Removing product build-up allows your hair to reflect more light.
2. STEP 2

   Condition it

   Follow with a conditioner that contains silicone. It helps align hair fibers with each other, which is essential for a smooth, glossy surface.
3. Try using products made by the same brand. They are formulated in the lab to complement one another.
4. STEP 3

   Rinse and pat dry

   Rinse your hair thoroughly. Then gently blot excess water with a clean bath towel; aggressive towel-drying can damage cuticles.
5. STEP 4

   Get glowing

   Don't let your hair be the only thing gleaming tonight: After applying your makeup, dust a tiny amount of glitter across your lids in a color that matches or complements your shadow, for some eye-catching sparkle.
6. STEP 5

   Get a cool style

   Let your hair air dry at least halfway, then use the cool setting on your dryer as you blow dry one section at a time, using a natural or combination bristle brush.
7. Work some shine-enhancing mousse into wet hair before blow-drying to give it a body boost.
8. STEP 6

   Join the glitterati

   Pick one metallic accessory, like shoes or a purse -- just don't overdo it with both! Add a piece or two of sparkly jewelry to complete the look.
9. STEP 7

   Seal the deal

   Mist your entire head of hair with a hair spray specially formulated to help maintain shine. It will help seal your look, resulting in an ice-like reflective surface that will keep you dazzling all night long!
10. Men are attracted to women with shiny hair because it's an indication of youth and health, traits they seek out for evolutionary reasons.

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Pros and cons of breast implant

Think twice before getting that breast augmentation done. Tanya Datta gives you the pros and cons of the procedure 

Which woman would not want fuller breasts considering the fact that they are seen as an 'asset'? And an enviable one at that. It surely ups a woman's sensuality quotient. But ask women if they are happy with 'their girls' and the answer will most likely be in the negative. So while some enhance their assets using padded bras, there are others who are daring enough to get them surgically enhanced. 

This has gained popularity because of the overwhelming tendency to make women look like Barbie dolls. But while you may jump from a size B to D with a nick of the knife, here are a few things you must know: 

What is a breast implant? 

They are medical devices that are inserted in the breast tissue surgically to increase the size of the breasts. There are three types of implants: 

1. Saline implants : They have a strong silicone elastomer shell, and are filled with a sterile saline solution at the time of surgery. 

2. Silicone implants : The most common and preferred implants, they are filled with a viscous silicone gel. 

3. Alternative-composition implants : They are filled with miscellaneous fillers, such as soy oil, polypropylene string, etc, but are no longer manufactured. 

Risk involved/associated with breast implant 

A study by the FDA states that half the women who use silicon implants might experience a breakdown of the implant. Similarly, there are equally high chances of it getting migrated to another part of the body. Other problems include ruptures, leaks and medical complications like fibromyalgia or a thyroid problem. 

Saline implants have their own share of problems like bacterial infection, hematoma (bleeding), temporary loss of sensitivity of a part of the breast. 

The study also throws light on how these implants make it difficult to detect cancer in the beginning stages. 

Complications 

Implants luckily do not interfere with breast feeding though may influence the mamograms. In 2004, a number of reports came out stating that these implants have a shelf life and therefore definitely cause complications in the long run. 

Another dangerous complication that can take place is the 'capsular contracture', which is the body develops a painful fibrous shell around the implant, since it is a foreign material.

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Benefits of rose water

Generations of women have used rose water as part of their skin care regime. It isn't uncommon to hear grannies extolling its benefits and not without reason.

  and rose oil are one of the oldest skin care and grooming products. It used to be added  Rose water to baths as also to treat mild skin conditions. They are found in many cosmetic products these days. 

Here are a few ways how rosewater works wonders for you: 
1. Since rose oil has anti-inflammatory properties, using rose water can help in reducing the redness from irritated or over-heated skin. 

2. It is a great cleanser and aids in removing oil and dirt accumulated in clogged pores. Thus preventing acne and pimples. 

3. It has astringent like properties, which is why it is used after facials and clean ups to close open pores. Applying rose water after steaming tightens capillaries, reduces redness and blotchiness. 

4. The aroma of roses is said to be a powerful mood enhancer. It rids you of feelings of anxiety and promotes emotional wellbeing, thereby making you look relaxed. Since it is de-stressing, it helps you sleep better which means you will wake up feeling fresh. 

5. The best and easiest way to use it is to apply it at night. It helps clear all impurities that your face has collected through the day. 

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Framing Your Face: Hairstyles with Fringes

Would you like to change your hairstyle without changing your hair colour or cutting your entire hair? If so, adding fringes to your hairstyle is just the right solution. No other hairstyle change could alter your appearance faster or easier. Happily, there are quite a few ways to style fringes. One of our featured stars may inspire your next fringed hairstyle choice

• Hairstyles with fringes are always in style. Today, fringes come in many amazing styles. Recently, international designers had their models wear fake fringes while showing off the newest fashion (see the models for Marni and Calvin Klein).

  Fringes may be swept to the side, allowed to cover the forehead straight down to the eyebrows or cut in any style. Whatever the style, fringes are always eye-catching and draw attention to the eyes.

• Who Looks Good with Fringes?

  Fringes flatter women with small or oblong faces and women with larger foreheads. Fringes shorten the face and in this way harmonise the proportions.

  However, even women with round faces look good with fringes. Long straight fringes and precision-cut fringes with straight edges look pleasing with soft facial lines.

  Tip: Thick long fringes are especially suited for full hair, while shorter fringes are suitable for fine hair. It is best to ask a Schwarzkopf hair stylist to cut your fringes. This professional stylist can advise you on the most suitable fringes for your face.

• How to Style Fringes?

  Styling your fringes works best after applying a generous dollop ofstyling mousse. Blow-drying your hair while pulling it over a round brush gives your fringes added bounce and volume, and a dusting of hairspraykeeps them from falling flat after a few hours.

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Three Ways to Straight Hair

Straight hair looks elegant and alluring. Small wonder the sleek look is so popular. You have the choice of various techniques to straighten your hair. Blow-drying while pulling your hair over a round or paddle brush will work. Using a flat iron or applying a semi-permanent hair straightener also leads to straight hair

• While experimenting with hairstyles, women braid, pin up, colour and curl their hair. Sooner or later, most women also discover the sleek look. Models all over the world embrace sleek hairstyles. On and off the catwalks between Los Angeles and Cannes, sleek hair intrigues and gets attention. Go ahead and try on the sleek style! You will be surprised how this look actually lends itself to so many variations. The right choice of straightening method depends entirely on your style and how long you want your hair to remain straight. Keep reading to find the right straightening method for your hair and style.

• Hair Straightening: Blow-Drying over a Round/Paddle Brush

  The classic hair straightening method involves pulling your hair over a round or paddle brush while blow-drying it. Most women have these tools at hand. In this method, strands of the towel-dry hair are rolled over a brush, briefly treated to a stream of blow-dryer air and then pulled straight through the brush. A round brush works best for short hair while a paddle brush is more suitable for long hair. Straightening your hair is easier after applying a straightening lotion or spray. Some of straightening products also contain heat protectant to save your hair from being damaged and dry out during blow-drying. Straightening your hair by pulling it over a round or paddle brush while blow-drying it is very simple and the effect lasts one day. However, women with naturally curly hair at best create wavy hair with this method.

• Hair Straightening: Using a Flat Iron

  Using a flat iron is a more effective hair straightening method. We recommend the method for women with naturally curly hair and for women who are not satisfied with the blow dryer-and-brush straightening.

  Don’t forget to work heat protectant through your towel-dry hair (preferentially by combing your hair with a wide-toothed comb) before you use the flat iron. Now you are ready to pull strands of your hair through the flat iron in a swift, continuous motion. Flat irons with ceramic or other coatings work best because they warm the hair evenly and gently. This method keeps hair straight for up to two days. Briefly straighten re-appearing waves after the first night. With practice your hair straightening skills will grow.

  Be sure to give you hair a conditioning treatment for dry and damaged hair once a week to prevent lasting hair damage.

• Semi-Permanent Hair Straightening Using a Blow-Dry Straightening Kit

  You can create the sleek look even if your hair is curly, frizzy or very unruly. Simply apply a straightening blow-dry kit to achieve sleek hair. The hair is straightened in two steps. In the first step, straightening serum containing keratin, silk and wheat proteins is applied to the hair, which is then combed straight. After 20 minutes, use lukewarm water to rinse out the straightening serum. The serum not only straightens hair but also makes it supple and smooth. After the serum treatment, apply a sealer for ten minutes while combing your hair straight a couple of times. The sealer ensures that your hair stays sleek and straight. Applying the straightening kit keeps hair straight through up to ten shampoos. After shampooing, you may like to use your blow dryer to freshen up the sleek look. In an instant, your already visibly straighter hair will be as straight and supple as you want it to be.

  
  

  In his video, top hair stylist Armin Morbach shows you how to straighten natural curls.

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Fatty Hair: How to Get Rid of the Fat (Sebum)

Whether you consider it a disease or merely a cosmetic problem, fatty hair is annoying and hard to get rid of. Proper expert advice offers solutions

• All efforts and the most elaborate styling notwithstanding, shapeless fatty strings of hair can become a permanent condition, which causes quite a bit of frustration among many women with fatty hair. Fatty hair looks neglected and is considered a blemish in a person’s looks. Actually, it is nothing more than the result of a natural process. Hair roots come with sebaceous glands, which secrete a fatty substance called sebum. In fact, this sebum benefits the hair. Sebum keeps the hair healthy and smooth and it keeps the hair from excessive drying and from breaking. 

   

  Excessive sebum production is the cause for fatty hair. In the worst case scenario the sebum glands clog the hair roots and may cause excessive hair loss and dandruff. The causes for an excessive sebum production are heredity, unhealthy eating habits, medications or improper hair care. The sebum production may also vary with the change of seasons, climate changes, hormone fluctuations or longer periods of stress.

• Advice: Wash your fatty hair often

  A dermatologist will help in serious cases of fatty hair. The prescribed medications contain all-trans-retinoic acid or ATRA for short (a vitamin A related substance), which regulates the sebaceous gland secretions. However, in most cases special hair care products will make an end of overly fatty hair.  These products will restore the balanced production of fatty substances from the sebaceous glands.  Seaweed or herbs like horsetail, rosemary, coltsfoot, the stinging nettle, chamomile and salvia regulate the sebum production and quiet the scalp. Medicinal tar shampoos may also regulate the sebum secretion. Please note: Hands off products containing proteins or lipid-replenishing substances such as oils or silicon! They only make a difficult situation worse by weighing the hair down and making it even fattier than before.

  
  

  Aside from the proper care, diligence in the application of the right products also plays an important role. Some believe that frequent shampooing will stimulate the sebum production. This however has no basis in fact. The opposite is true. Fatty hair should be washed often, i.e. daily if necessary. Every shampoo treatment removes almost all sebum from the sebaceous glands. Each shampooing removes a little more sebum (fat) providing the shampoo is massaged into the scalp. The result is clear: Proper care will soon make an end of fatty hair.

• Do

  • Use shampoos with a translucent appearance and avoid creamy shampoos

  • Every now and then, you should remove excessive fat (sebum) from your hair and scalp using a healing earth cure package. You can purchase healing earth in drug and chemists’ stores. Healing earth absorbs and binds large amounts of fatty substances and is therefore ideal for combat against fatty hair

  • Wash your hair early in the day. Sebaceous glands work particularly hard at night
    
    

• Don't

  • Fatty hair irritates the scalp and renders it particularly sensitive. You should avoid adding more stress and therefore stay away from exposing your hair to hot water and from using the hair dryer frequently. Other unnecessary irritations are tight braids or tight head gear or hats

  • Use only lukewarm water. Hot water stimulates the sebum production

  • Do not use a hair brush. Brushing will only distribute the sebum all through your hair from the roots to their ends. Combing your hair will be sufficient.

  • Do not use rinsing agents. Fatty hair needs less conditioning than dry hair. The number one rule for fatty hair is ‘Less is more!’

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Dry Hair: Is there a Cure?

There are many reasons for having dry hair.  Your scalp may be dry and not produce sufficient amounts of sebum. Your genes may make you prone to this condition.  Quite often however, the condition is our own doing, and our hair care and styling habits may have upset the natural balance of our hair conditions. Hair colour and extreme styling can have a harsh effect on the scalp and the hair surface and may therefore also lead to dry hair

• In most cases, dry hair is brittle and like straw to the touch. Such hair is hard to comb and has little lustre.  A sebum layer protects normal hair, and the absence of this layer around dry hair makes it thin and porous. The delicate dandruff layer underneath the hair is therefore rough and porous rather than smooth and even. The small imperfections in the layer allow water to escape from the interior hair and the hair dries out.

  
  

  Using the proper products for this hair type will likely stop the hair from drying out. These products contain conditioners such as Aloe vera and Shea butter, which will bring back smoothness to the areas, which are brittle or imperfect. In addition, lipids will bind moisture in the dry hair and the increased silicon content will make it easier to comb the hair.

• Ten Tips for the Treatment of Dry Hair

  • Do not wash your dry hair every day! Each shampooing removes protective lipids from the hair. As a rule, wash your dry hair rarely and only as necessary

  • Use only products, which are especially made for your hair type. The proper products contain less of the drying foaming agents and their higher silicon content will make it easier to comb your hair

  • Treat your hair to a cure at least once a week. Such hair treatments will provide your dry hair with a lot of moisture and seal the hair surface with conditioning oils

  • Never heat-style your hair without the benefit of hair protection! Hair straightening (hot irons) and hot air from hair dryers are hard on hair and remove its moisture. You should therefore air-dry your hair as often as possible. Remember to look for a heat guard setting before purchasing a new hair dryer. The protection against overheating is a crucial feature

  • Elbow grease: Regular scalp massages improve the blood flow to the scalp and stimulate the sebum secretion

  • Do not wash your hair with excessively hot water because it strips your hair of natural substances. It is best to set the temperature control between tepid and moderately warm. As a finishing touch you should rinse the longer part of your hair with cool water. This will make your hair smooth and shiny

  • Never style your hair with alcohol-containing products! Alcohol in hair sprays, foam setting products, gels and other products also dry out your hair

  • Don’t forget to inspect your hair care tools. The burrs on haphazardly manufactured combs and brushes will damage the dandruff layer and further disturb its natural smooth surface

  • First detangle your still damp hair using a wide comb. Then comb your hair gently. Wet or damp hair is especially prone to damage

  • Treat your hair with loving care. Harsh treatment may excessively stretch your hair and further damage it in the process

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