June,
2009Tools of the Trade
In Part 2 of this series, we will be discussing the use of various
hair tools. For you to have the beautiful hairstyle that makes you
feel wonderful, you really have to know which tools to use, why you
use them, and when.
Hair Dryer – Obviously used for drying your hair, but be
sure to look for one that has at least two speeds and three
temperature settings, cool, medium, and hot. A hair dryer can
actually reach over 300°F, which is the same temp as your oven when
baking. Use the medium warm setting to dry your hair, and only use
the hot setting at the end when you are setting your style.
Be sure to use a diffuser if you have curly or permed hair which
will spread the airflow over your hair with disturbing the
curl.
Curling Iron – This wonderful invention curls your
hair very quickly. Choose the iron based on the type of curl
you want. The smaller the diameter of the barrel, the smaller
the curl you create. To protect your scalp, use a comb when
curling all the way up the hair shaft. Clean your iron
regularly with a damp cloth after it has cooled.
Straightening Irons – These devices flatten your
hair with high heat. Again, heat is an enemy of your hair, so
always use a hair protectant first to minimize any damage.
Always use a straightening iron on dry hair.
Crimpers – These are a great way to create waves in your
hair. They come with a range of attachments that give you
different sizes of waves. Use only on dry hair, and with a
protectant. If you have bleached hair, use extreme caution
with regular crimper use as this can really dry your hair and cause
breakage.
Heated Curlers – Ten minutes is all it takes to
set your hair with heated rollers. The secret to this us removing
the curlers when they are completely cooled. Again, use only
on dry hair.
So, whatever style you want to wear, there is a heated styling tool
to make it possible. Because heat can be damaging to your hair, be
sure to talk to your stylist about using a heat-protectant styling
product to minimize damage and keep your hair healthy. Using
a different tool can give you the opportunity to try a hairstyle
you have always admired. A good stylist will demonstrate each
step of the styling process for you, so you can re-create the great
new look at home!
Losing the Long Hair?
Many brides love their long tresses for their wedding day, but once
the honeymoon is over, they are anxious to try a shorter, more
sophisticated look. If this is you and you are cutting more
than 10 inches, consider donating your locks to girls who could
really use the hair. Go to Locks of Love websites for the
stories:
http://locksoflove.org
http://locksoflove.org/donate.html
http://locksoflove.org/recipient.html
Kumquats
These distant relatives to the orange are called “little gems of
the citrus family”. They are small, oval, orange fruits that are
eaten skin and all. Each fruit is about one bite of sweet
skin and really sour fruit on the inside. This explosion of
flavor makes them perfect for slicing and adding to a salad or to a
scallop and shrimp stir-fry with scallions and ginger. Next
time you see kumquats in the produce section, get some, take them
home and experiment. Eat them raw, in a martini, in a salad,
or a quick chicken or seafood dish.
Fabulous!
