Hair Care 101

Beauty products have certainly come a long way since the days of hoop skirts. The list of hair care products has more than tripled in just the past ten years. It is understandable why any woman would get overwhelmed just walking through the Health and Beauty section of a department store. Hair should be smooth, silky, and soft. However, the everyday conditions, both natural and self-inflicting, play a huge role in how our hair looks and feels. Below, you will find some great tips on different products for different hair types.

For hair that seems dry all the time -

Trying to tame frizzy hair can be a bit complicated. You will want a shampoo and conditioner that has ample moisture, with ingredients to boost volume. If your hair is more frizzy than dry, you would be better off to use a light moisturizing conditioner. Too much moisture can cause frizzy hair to become too flat. A great product to try is "Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal."

If your hair is extra dry, it becomes brittle and very sensitive to certain conditions, especially if you blow-dry already dry hair. A great product to try that repairs already spent hair is "Infusium23 (repair)ology." They have a wide variety of products that range from moisture to repair. But, these products can get very expensive. So, stick to using Infusium23 weekly for repairing damaged locks. If you have a sensitive scalp, test a spot on your head first. If used too often, the ingredients that make Infusium23 great can lead to irritation. Remember to use this brand sparingly.

For hair that is dry only sometimes -

For hair that seems dry after coloring, any moisturizing conditioner is fine. However, you will want one that is slightly thicker than most other products, such as Pantene. For a deep conditioning treatmeant, place a towel in the dryer for a few minutes. Then, wash and rinse your hair normally, apply a thick conditioner, and then loosely wrap your hair in the towel before rinsing the conditioner out. The heat from the towel helps open cuticles in your hair, allowing the moisture from the conditioner to absorb easier. Leave the towel on until it cools completely, maybe about 30 minutes, then rinse.

For limp hair -

For hair that is less excited about standing up for itself, you will need an extra volume product. Be very careful when choosing these products. If your hair is even slightly thick, some products that promise volume can make your hair feel very "coated" or coarse. You will want a product that can live up to it's promise of volume, but not weigh your hair down. A great product to try is "Matrix Biolage Volumathérapie." It reinvigorates fine, limp or lifeless hair with voluminous body and radiant shine.

For oily hair -

If your hair is more oily than frizzy, the natural reaction would be to not use moisturizer. However, every hair on anyone's head needs moisture. Otherwise, it could become too dry and brittle. Just choose a light-weight moisturizer that has just enough moisturizers to keep your hair from becoming too oily. One to try is "Finesse Enhancing" products. Ingredients that make this product great are the silk and soy protein formula used in Finesse Enhancing Conditioner to smooth and strengthen the cuticle of every strand, keeping your hair manageable and radiant. Finesse products have the amazing ability to adjust themselves to exactly the amount of moisture that you need. This quality makes Finesse one of the best products on the market today.

Home Remedies -

Home remedies for dry hair can be a real life saver. They are less expensive and less abrasive than most hair care products. Listed below are a few at-home recipes and tips.

For dry hair, what you will need is ½ cup olive oil, 5 drops frankincense essential oil (others may be substituted, if you wish) and a plastic bag that can fit over your hair. Pour the olive oil in a jar with a lid and add the essential oil. Shake well to distribute evenly. Let this solution sit over night in a cool dark place and shake again before use. Rinse your hair with luke warm water (as hot water and dry your hair even worse), and use 1 tablespoon of the oil mixture. Using your fingertips (not nails), massage the oil onto your scalp, and apply the remaining oil to the tips of your hair. Place the plastic bag over your hair, and let this sit for about 30 minutes. Rinse the oil out, and shampoo as normal. Olive oil has been a Hollywood secret for years with stars such as Halle Berry. It is great for both hair and skin.

To tame your frizzy hair, try rubbing coconut oil into your hands. Be careful to not over-do it. Too much oil of any kind will make your hair look greasy. Also, shampoo less often. Shampooing too often strips natural oils from your hair, causing your locks to become dry and even more frizzy.

Clarifying shampoos can be great, but pricey. Rinsing your hair with baking soda is an at-home alternative to get rid of the dulling residue that some products may leave behind.

To give dull hair back it's life and shine, rinse your hair with lemon juice. Also, apple cider vinegar mixed with water is said to give hair shine and bounce.

For a simple, homemade conditioner recipe, you will need 1 teaspoon of baby oil, 1 egg yolk and 1 cup of water. Beat the egg yolk until its frothy, add the oil, then beat again. Add to the water. Then, massage the mixture into your scalp and throughout your hair and rinse well.

The best home remedy you will ever find for healthy hair is to drink a lot of water and eat a lot fruits and vegetables. As with the rest of your body, what you put in the inside is reflected on the outside.

Choosing the right hair care product is just one of those things that you will have to experiment with. You can follow this guide to choose which product is right for you. Remember, you do not have to spend a lot just to get great hair. Just choose the product that fits you best. If you have an expensive taste, but cannot afford the more pricey brands, buy one that you like, and use it weekly. This will keep your hair at the top of it's game without over-powering your check book.