Tuesday, 11 November 2008

Are Any Vitamins Important to Stop Hair Loss?

Antioxidants help to repair damage in the body on a cellular level, so it only makes sense that these would also help your hair grow stronger. Choose vitamins A, C, and E to help you promote shine as well as healthier hair follicles.

While you might think you are doing everything you can to prevent and to treat hair loss, you may not be doing enough. All of the treatments and products in the world aren't going to help if you're not nourishing the rest of the body that's attached to your scalp. You need to think of your baldness as something that can affect and can be assisted by other habits you have - like a poor diet. In addition to putting the vitamins directly onto your hair, you might also want to put a few in your mouth.

Are Any Vitamins Important to Stop Hair Loss?

Biotin is a mineral which can help to produce keratin, which is one of the building blocks of your hair. By taking in this supplement, you will begin to encourage the hair to grow long and strong.

Inositol is another supplement that will help you work on your hair from the inside out. By helping the hair follicle work as it should, you can make sure the hair growth cycle doesn't slow down.

Though it's better to find these vitamins and minerals in your local grocery store, taking a supplement each day can help ensure that you are getting the maximum levels for hair health.



Monday, 10 November 2008

DIY Skin Savers: The Aspirin Mask

Do not apply it near to eye zone, as it would be extremely drying and irritating for the sensitive skin there.

What is the aspirin mask?
The aspirin mask is a homemade BHA mask available to each and everyone of us, totally inexpensive and highly efficient, made of salicylic acid or tablets of aspirin. BHA is known to help tremendously with cleaning pores from deep inside and therefore contribute to keeping our skin blemish-free. BHAs are efficient on existing blemishes as well, by helping them heal faster and keeping pores clean afterwards.

Basic preparation: 1/4 tsp. salicylic acid (ask for it at pharmacy, if you cannot find it, then crush 3-5 tablets of plain aspirin instead), distilled water. Mix the powder with the water until it becomes of a creamy consistence, apply on clean dry skin (focus on T-zone and sides of the nose). Keep it on until completely dry. Take a small cotton pad, wet it lightly and begin scrubbing the areas covered with the mask, making small circles. Finally, rinse with plenty of water. It would be excellent to apply a calming mask or a hydrating mask first, followed by your regular moisturizer. Skin will be left completely smooth and even.

Refrain yourself from over-using it. For very oily skin and for severe blemishes, every 3 days would be more than enough in order not to stress the skin and obtain maximum efficiency. Other skin types should use it once a week or twice a month (dry to very dry, sensitive skin).

There are practically unlimited versions of this mask. You can add yoghurt for an astringent effect, aloe vera, honey. You can also make the mask using a basic moisturizer mixed with salicylic acid instead of water, as it will be less harsh on the skin and will be more easy to use.
Another option is to mix salicylic acid / crushed aspirin into a mask: into a clay mask, a hydrating mask or a soothing mask. My personal favourite is aloe vera mask with a hint of salicylic acid - application is much better, skin is less irritated and dried compared to aspirin with water, the feeling left after this mask is absolutely unique so smooth and clean!

DIY Skin Savers: The Aspirin Mask

Indications: all skin types, especially normal to oily and combination skin, acne-prone and clogged skin.



Hair Thickener

Hair ThickenersHair thickeners are a good option for thinning hair. Hair thickening products cover a wide range. Some products simply clean the hair removing heavy oils; some trap moisture in the hair shaft thus giving more body. Hair thickeners come in sprays or creams, and some require that you hair be blow-dried for maximum volume effect.Hair thickeners fatten individual strands of hair, so that fine hair looks and feels more thicker per strand-thus giving more abundant overall volume. Such products use wheat proteins, infused into the cortex, to "fatten" it up. These products actually bind real hair particles to the hair shaft thereby giving it more volume.The majority of hair thickeners work by using a hair shaft's natural negative charge to attract polymers (which have a positive charge) thus trapping moisture causing the hair shaft to swell in diameter and appear thicker.There are hair thickeners which will do more than just thicken hair, but also stimulate new hair growth. If in doubt, ask your hair stylist to recommend a good thickener.

Thinning of hair is a common problem among men and women. More than 60 million Americans suffer from thinning of hair. More than half the men over the age of 50 suffer from hair loss or baldness. Baldness in women is far less common, but the emotional trauma it brings is greater.When a woman's hair is shiny, healthy and full-bodied, she looks more beautiful and feels more confident. It's a fact, nothing can make a woman feel more fabulous than knowing that her hair is perfect. But it's her worst nightmare when her hair begins to thin, become brittle, losing its shine and luster. The face takes on a different look which we are not comfortable with. Usually this occurs in a short span of time. Hair thinning can cause a lot of anxiety leading to lack of confidence and self-image, and sometimes even depression.The most common cause of hair loss in both men and women is genetic. In fact, heredity accounts for 95% of all the cases of alopecia (baldness) in this country. The remaining 5% of the cases can be due to a number of things including:

  • Grief or stress
  • improper nutrition, iron deficiency
  • thyroid malfunction
  • hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause
  • side effect of certain medications or medical treatments like chemotherapy
  • too many harsh chemicals have been used on it -- so it breaks easily
Finding the cause for thinning of hair will help you to find the right solution.Helpful tips to prevent hair breakage include shampooing and conditioning only when hair is dirty. Also avoid using hair straightening flat irons and curling irons as they damage hair.To add volume to your hair you could try:
  • Coloring your hair
  • Using volumizing products
  • Getting a permanent wave to give volume to fine-textured hair
However, some of these ways still involve chemicals and harsh treatment of your hair. They may add volume temporarily but could cause more damage in the long run resulting in hair loss.Even though genetics is beyond control, effective treatments are available for hair loss and baldness.

Hair Thickener



Hairstyles to Suit a Long Face

Women with oblong or long faces bemoan the fact that they tend to appear older than others. Round face shapes may make a woman's face appear babyish. Oval face shapes are simply perfect. Square face shapes exudes a strong personality, while oblong face shapes are simply unique.

However, your face shape does not have to remain visually permanent. In fact, with the right choice of hairstyle, the oblong or long face can appear fabulous and sensual. In fact, the long face is the perfect canvass to create a classic feminine look. But what hairstyles will suit a long face?

Do you really have a long face?

First, a woman must solidly verify that she has indeed an oblong face. It would be a pity to wear hairstyles suited for long faces when the face shape is actually an oval or a diamond. To determine your face shape, look for a photograph of yourself that shows the front of your face directly. Pictures that show your face at an angle will not work. It is important to have the whole face exposed in the photo.

Take a tape measure and measure the distance between the hairline and the tip of the chin. This is the length of your face. Then, measure the distance between the edges of the sides of the face. This should be done across the cheeks. This distance is the width of the face. And finally, the length is divided by the width. If the calculation result is higher than 1.5, then your face absolutely has a long face shape.

What are your best features?

Second, you should determine which part of your face is your best feature. Is it the sultry eyes? Is it the pouting well-shaped lips? Is it the proud little nose? Is it the flawless skin? Identifying the best feature on the face is important because this feature must be highlighted or flaunted. Next to the long face shape, this is another consideration that a woman must take when choosing suitable hairstyles. For example, a chic bob will highlight the lips. Wispy bangs will bring attention to the eyes.

Third, you should make a list of styles that you must avoid. These hairstyles will usually make the face appear longer. Some of the hairstyles to avoid are those that are too short and too long. The length of the hairstyle should not appear like an army cut. Think how Kristian Alfonso would look like if she chooses to wear a skull-capping haircut. It would be disastrous because she has a long face. But the length of the hairstyle should not go beyond the bust line. Sarah Jessica Parker tried growing her hair at that length and the result was horrendous. She quickly rectified that mistake by shortening the length of her hair.

A loyal fan may disagree with this observation and may believe that Sarah Jessica Parker can do no wrong when it comes to hairstyles. But if two pictures of her are placed side by side, one with hair extensions going beyond the bust line and the other with the hair length just brushing the shoulders, it is easy to realize that the latter hairstyle looks significantly more attractive than the former.

And fourth, the woman with a long face shape must decide the kind of jazz that she needs for her hairstyle. If the hair is straight, it needs layered cuts to add volume. If the hair is curly, it needs styling and taming to bring out the best features of the face. It would be great for the curls to frame her face, especially around the jaw line. This will provide the illusion that the face shape is shorter. If bangs are chosen, these can be wispy, side-swept, or blunt. And if no bangs are wanted, the hair should be blown smoothly to add width.

About The Author
Paul Jones researches and provides article content for womens' health, beauty and fashion. Choose Your New Hairstyle at HairDoHairstyles.com where you will find 100's of Pictures of Hairstyles along with hairstyle advice. Try out the Virtual Hairstyle Demo before you cut. Learn how you can "Plan The Perfect Wedding on A Shoestring Budget." Its all in a neat little e-book. Yours Free just for visiting HairDohairstyles.com

Garden Fountains Offer Beauty and Tranquility

Since the dawn of civilization, people have been drawn to cascading water. In nature, waterfalls fill the senses and send negatively charged ions into the air that infuse us with a sense of well-being. The water fountains of the ancient Romans and Spaniards brought both life-giving liquid and a beautiful serenity to cities and towns. Even today, people are drawn to the powerful fountains showcased at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas and perhaps the most famous fountain on the globe - the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

But our fascination with foundations doesn't - and shouldn't - end there. Indeed, we can integrate garden fountains into our own yards so that our personal landscapes can become a refuge of serenity.

The Choices are Limitless

When it comes to garden fountains, the choices are virtually limitless. They include:

Tiered - Tiered fountains are those that most often come to mind. They're most often round, and have two or three levels. The water comes out of the top, cascades to the bowl below, spills over, and then fills the next bowl down.

Statuary - Statuary fountains are often conversation pieces. They can include any number of cascade configurations, such as streams coming down from a top bowl or pouring out of an element of the statue. As for the statue itself, options range from classical to modern and from elegant to rustic.

Wall - Wall fountains are often employed as a focal point for a garden or home interior. They can be designed to replicate a natural waterfall; include statuary like dolphins, hummingbirds, or lions; or incorporate a floral motif.

Artistic - As their name implies, artistic fountains infuse elegance into any setting, and can take a variety of shapes. From simple urns to intricate mosaics, these fountains make a design statement.

Birdbaths - If you don't have the space or the desire to install a full fountain, you can still enjoy the element of water in your garden with birdbaths. Available in a variety of classic and modern designs, birdbaths provide enjoyment for both your family and for our feathered friends.

Of course, fountains and birdbaths are only two of the many stonework elements available for garden decor. Benches add a feeling of connection to the earth while bringing elegance and utility to your landscaping.

Where to Find Garden Fountains

Garden fountains are available at many local stores, but for exquisite craftsmanship and support, you'll most likely want to order from a company that has over a half century of experience in cast stone. Choosing this route will allow you to find beautiful, custom fountains, statuary, and accessories that are built to last. With a wide choice of finishes, you are sure to find pieces that will complement the design of your home and garden.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
Learn more about The Beauty of Garden Fountains.