Tips and Remedies for Frizzy Hair

Frizzy hair can certainly be a pain to work with. For some, frizz is the result of high humidity; for others, it comes with dry air. And for curly-headed individuals, it can be a constant nuisance!

Frizz has multiple causes. Humid air, as pointed out above, can cause curly hair to kink up, making it resistant to lying down smoothly. Dry conditions can contribute to frizz, too, by bringing on split ends and other damage. Split hairs fly about and have much less "heft" and weight than intact hairs.

There are various products on the market and homemade ones that you can use to help tame the frizz. Here are some tips and remedies for frizzy hair.

Commercial Products

Take a look at some of the products that are made to "repair" split ends. There are shampoos and conditioners with this claim, as well as serums and other products that you leave in. Usually, you use a very small amount of the leave-in product and work it through your hair.

Trim Regularly

Whether your hair is long or short, getting it trimmed on a regular basis helps combat frizz. Trimming removes split ends and "shapes" your hair so that it lies in a more uniform, straight direction.

Deep Conditioning Treatments

Store-bought or homemade, a weekly or bi-weekly deep conditioning treatment can help your frizzy hair. Store-bought treatments include warm oil packs, thick creams, and even mud-like, henna-based conditioner.

At home, you can mash an avocado and mix it with an egg and half a cup of mayonnaise to make a healthy conditioner. With deep conditioning, you leave the conditioner on your hair for at least 15 minutes, so have a shower cap handy for the wait time. Shampoo after the time is up, using a gentle, moisture-rich shampoo (preferably one designed for frizzy or damaged hair).

Be Gentle

Frizzy hair needs just a little rough treatment to become unmanageable. Let your hair air-dry as often as possible, letting the curls and kinks just kind of lie on each other rather than getting blown around.

Towel-drying comes with a similar precaution - rough rubbing with a towel only increases the chance for frizz and damage. Instead, "plop" your hair forward onto a towel and gently pat it dry, or wrap it carefully in a towel and let it dry for 10 minutes or so. You can also put a towel around your shoulders and let your hair dry naturally while the towel catches drips.

Quick Fixes

If you're having a frizzy hair day and just don't have time for elaborate measures, work a pea-sized dab of regular conditioner through your hair. Or, dissolve a bit of conditioner in water in a spray bottle and spritz your hair.


By Beauty Tips

Natural Treatments for Dry Skin

During certain times of the year, dry skin can become a real problem. For others, dry skin is a year-round affliction. If you've looked into commercial products, you might be shocked at the price of some of these products.

The good news is, there are some natural remedies that not only are inexpensive; you might already have them in your home. Here are some natural remedies for dry skin.


1. Natural Soap Alternatives

Sometimes, it's what you don't do that helps your skin. Soap can be very drying and many sources point out that we tend to use more than we need. Instead, consider some of these natural, moisturizing cleansers for your dry skin.

# Yogurt-Based Cleanser

Yogurt is reputed to be very good for your skin. You might want to use Greek yogurt or strained plain yogurt for this cleanser, so it won't be too runny. Also, yogurt with more fat in it will be more moisturizing than a fat-free one. Here's how you make it.

In a bowl, mix together:
* Half a cup of plain yogurt
* 1 teaspoon raw honey
* 1 teaspoon olive oil or sweet almond oil

Apply this to your face instead of soap, and rub in gently with your fingertips. Rinse well using lukewarm or cool water. Hot water strips your skin of oils that you need if it's dry.


2. Exfoliate

Dry skin may benefit from an exfoliating scrub once a week or so. Exfoliants help rid the skin of dead, dry skin cells and and flakes, and a moisturizing one is best for those with dry skin. Here's how to make it at home.

# Sugar Exfoliant

Mix the following ingredients together in a bowl:
* 1 tablespoon sugar (white sugar will have a finer texture than, say, raw sugar - use raw sugar if you want a deeper exfoliating action and white sugar for a more gentle effect)
* 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
* 1/4 teaspoon sweet almond oil

Splash your face well with warm water, then apply the exfoliant, rubbing it in gently with your fingers. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.


3. Oils in Your Kitchen

Sweet almond oil and olive oil are both said to be excellent for dry skin. Olive oil also has anti-bacterial qualities, sources say, making it a helpful choice for those with acne or other inflammation on their dry skin. So you may want to try dabbing on a drop or two of oil before putting on moisturizer or make-up.


4. Masks

A deep moisturizing face mask may help penetrate dry skin for lasting moisture. Try mashing up an avocado until it's creamy, and simply apply it to your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes or so, then rinse with warm water. Finish with cold water, experts say, to "seal up" pores.

By Beauty Tips

Make-Up Tips for Dry Skin

Have you tried to apply make-up to dry skin, and were less than satisfied with the results? It can be very frustrating to get a smooth look when your skin is dry. Here are some make-up tips for dry skin that may help.

1. Prepare Your Skin

First of all, get your dry skin ready for make-up. This involves several steps.

* Wash your face with a moisturizing cleanser. Soap and other cleansers can increase dryness, so use a moisture-rich cleanser.

* Periodically, you'll want to exfoliate your skin. Dry skin can cause flaking and scaling. Exfoliation helps remove these dead cells. You can use whatever exfoliant works for you, whether store-bought or homemade. Beauty experts caution against exfoliating every day, though - a couple of times a week may be plenty.

* Layers are key. After you have washed and exfoliated, apply a moisturizer before applying your foundation. Make sure it's absorbed thoroughly into your skin, as lotion or moisturizer left on the skin can create a mottled, uneven look to your make-up. To make sure it's absorbed, work on something else - like your hair, maybe - for about 5 minutes to allow it to soak in.

In lieu of a moisturizer, you can apply a primer to your face after washing. Primers moisturize and also create a smooth base for your foundation.

Finally, use a facial formula for your moisturizer - don't use body lotion. Body lotions don't necessarily have face-friendly ingredients.

2. What Kind of Foundation

Apply a liquid foundation, not a powder one, say experts. Powder has a drying effect, and it can accentuate lines and wrinkles (typical symptoms of dry skin). Creams can also cling heavily to dry skin. Look for moisturizing foundation made specifically for dry skin. If you like, blend foundation with a make-up sponge.

Consider using a foundation that includes a sunscreen. Sun exposure can definitely dry out skin even more, and shielding your skin from its dehydrating effects is a good step toward reversing the dry skin trend.

3. Eye Make-Up

Dry skin around the eyes can "pop out" when the wrong kind of make-up highlights fine lines. Powder-based eye make-up can exacerbate this. So cream-based eye shadows may be a better choice for those with dry skin. Apply gently, avoiding irritation, and remove eye make-up with a moisturizing remover.

4. Blush

Another time when cream works is for the blush of your cheeks. Unlike powder blushes, cream blushes add a healthy sheen and glow that could be dulled by powder.

By Beauty Tips