Women Beauty Diary » Hair Straightener

Maintain Healthy and Stylish Looking Hair Whilst Ageing

Shilah — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:05:08 +0000

Just because you are getting older, it does not mean that your hair has to do the same. Nowadays there are millions of hair products and tips on how to keep your hair looking youthful, stylish and healthy. You just need to know what to do and what to use. Here follows some hints and tips on how to maintain your hair looking healthy and stylish whilst ageing.

First of all, it is important to use the correct products for your hair; shampoo, conditioner and other styling products. When ageing, the hair usually loses its natural gloss and starts looking tired. So it is essential that you apply some kind of nurturing hair mask at least once a week.

Also, replace your current shampoo and conditioner to those with shine and gloss; this will make the hair look younger. Little details such as cutting your hair more frequently will also make a difference.

If you want to avoid those grey or white hairs dye your hair or add highlights to it. This autumn coloured hair in a block colour is the trend, and not so much highlights.

If you need more inspiration on how to reduce the years from your hair, check out celebrity hair styles. Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta Jones, Angelina Jolie and Diane Keaton are all women who are ageing with style. They take good care of their hair and more importantly are creative with their hair. The Sex and the City Girls; Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, are all mature women looking after their hair. They frequently change styles and mix between straight, curly, wavy, short, long and so on.

Go online and visit http://www.ghdhair.com/ to find products that will help you maintaining youthful hair. ghd offers hair straighteners and other hair products making it possible for you to keep up with the latest hairstyles.

Thermally Reconditioned Hair Types

Shilah — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:24:42 +0000

The Japanese straightening procedure called thermal reconditioning has increased in popularity. It is seen as highly effective, long-lasting, and promising in the search for pin straight locks. It is also known for being used on a wide variety of hair types. There are certain limitations, but it seems to worth well for most types. Certain hair types respond better than others. For example, it is still often not a recommendation for African hair types.

With tightly curled hair types the problems lies for regrowth. Thermally reconditioned curly hair may look awkward as the roots begin to grow and abruptly exposes your natural curls. It will be necessary to maintain it through regularly scheduled touch up appointments, which involve application of a solution that will soften the new growth of hair. A properly trained specialist will know the proper amount to apply to these roots, so they match your existing hair.

If your hair is bleached or has light highlights there are some risks involved with thermal recondition. Your salon should use a small test strand to see how your hair reacts to the solution. Your colored hair may or may not be able to withstand thermal reconditioning. Coarse, thick hair may react better with thermal reconditioning as opposed to fine hair. Adding more chemicals to hair that is already slightly altered may give you less than desirable results.

Allow your stylist to know your full color history, so he or she can make an accurate decision. He or she may ask you when the last color was placed in your hair and type of chemical that was used. Always answer these questions honestly, so you can avoid disappointment or damage to your hair. Avoid hair coloring within two weeks of your thermal reconditioning. Your hair needs time in between chemicals, let it take care of this naturally and give it enough time. Thermal reconditioning may change the shade of your color slightly, so be prepared for this. Shampoos are now available to help keep your hair color, so be sure to check these products out.

If you have recently relaxed your hair, then you must take extreme caution! Even if your hair relaxing was not successful, this is irrelevant. You must make your thermal reconditioning technician aware as to whether the relaxer you used was hydroxide or thio base. Thermal reconditioning itself is thio based, which makes it compatible with any other relaxers that are thio based. On the other hand, if the relaxer was hydroxide based, thermal reconditioning is not compatible! If you are unsure of the type of relaxer, make sure you have this information before attempting a thermal reconditioning.

Differences Of Lye And No Lye Relaxers

Shilah — Mon, 31 May 2010 04:04:42 +0000

Back in the nineteen twenties, and for several following decades, African American men were straightening their hair with pure lye, which was called conking. Many people learned through the life story of Malcom X, how extremely painful this process was to use. When lyes are used in hair straightening, a petroleum jelly is used to create a thick shield on the head. Any direct contact with lyes is known to be excruciating.

Is this a safe process and if not then what are our alternatives? Well, no-lye products have become popular and may technically be weaker in some ways than the hazardous lyes, but there is no room for error when using no-lyes either.

In the 1800’s, African-Americans had seen a straightening process occur while washing/combing their hair with lye soaps. The first relaxer was invented around the early 1900’s, where it was made from alkaline solutions including lye, potash lye or slaked lime. This was the first time a product was advertised as being able to relax or straighten hair.

Sodium Hydroxide is used in products that are referred to as “lye” relaxers. It is a rather strong chemical and is used in chemical hair relaxers because it provides the strongest and longest effects. To get an idea of its brutal strength, this substance was used to clear clogged drains. Its pH factor may be as high as 10-14. What this means is it will work rather effectively, but the damage caused to your hair and scalp increase greatly.

On the other hand “no-lye”, or alkali, relaxers use Guanidine Hydroxide, with a pH of 9-9.5. Note that the pH of hair should be around 4.5-5.5. No-lye relaxers can still damage your hair. By no means should it ever be considered a safe alternative. No-lye still uses extremely strong chemicals to straighten thick curly hair. Though it may have less damage, this ideal state assumes great health of both the hair and the scalp and general carefulness during its process. Some people have found no-lye relaxers to be more drying than lye relaxers. Another name of the no-lye relaxers is thioglycolate-based.

Lye or no-lye, there is going to be a radical shift in the fundamental structures constituting your hair. Take a moment to think about the magnitude of such a concept. You will be unnaturally loosening the curl pattern to a permanently relaxed and reduced state.

Any relaxers that you decide to rely on will require you to conditioning before and after each application. Remember these things and consider the complex process of hair relaxing from all angles. If you wish to keep your hair free from any damage, then it is best to not use a lye or no-lye formula.

How To Style Straightened Hair

Shilah — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:05:42 +0000

You have found the perfect hair straightener for your curly hair type, but you have no idea what styles you can do with your new do! For some people, straight hair can be rather boring and lacks volume, depth, and character. However, this is not always true if you know how to bring out the natural beauty of straight hair. Having straight hair will give you many options that were not possible with curly hair. Here are some ideas that will help to switch up your look day-to-day.

If you are straightening your hair everyday, you will need to add moisture back into your hair. The heat involved with straightening may cause your hair to become dry and brittle. This will make it prone to fly-aways and frizz. Look at your local salon to find serums and gels that will keep your hair healthy and looking its best.

In order to have tons of volume with straight hair, you will need to use some mouse or hairspray. If you must straighten your hair when it is dry, then follow these few tips. Apply mouse to the roots of your hair and then flip your head down and on a cool setting, blow dry the roots. This will help to add a little volume to your hair, so it doesn’t appear flat.

Keeping your hair looking great is a concern for all women no matter what age! With straight hair you are able to place it in a small pony tail and then wrap a few pieces of hair around the elastic band to hide it. This can be a great casual hairstyle or even be used for a night on the town. Be creative with pony tails because with straight hair the possibilities are endless.

To add a little more texture and character to your straightened hair, try curling the ends in or out depending upon what looks best on you. If you have really curly hair before straightening it, you will most likely not need hair spray or mouse to hold it in place. Flipping the ends outward has become extremely popular over the past few years. Try both it see which looks best with your hair type and face.

Since you have decided to give up on your curls temporarily, here are some styles to help you with your new hairstyle. Even though it is straightened you can still have great looking hair without it looking boring or dull. Try out some of these styles to see which fits your personality best.

Chemical Straighteners Vs. Electric Straightening Irons

Shilah — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 13:25:42 +0000

There are only a few ways of getting your curly hair to become straight. Each way has their own advantages and disadvantages that will cause you to debate which one is best for you. The first type is through a process that involves placing harsh chemicals on your scalp and hair. The other popular type is through the use of a electric straightening iron. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each, so you can choose which process is better for you.

Chemical hair straighteners such as a relaxer or a process called thermal reconditioning is extremely effective at creating a permanently straightened hairstyle. Permanent does not mean that this process will last forever, but it does mean it lasts through regular washing. During the actual process, chemical hair straighteners can put out toxic fumes and may burn your scalp or skin if it comes in contact. Every few months, you will need to have your hair relaxed or thermally reconditioned because the new growth of your hair will begin to really show through at this time.

The cost of this process depends on the salons in your area and may be a higher cost in a trendier more fashion savvy location. A relaxer works best for African American hair types whereas thermal reconditioning is recommended for Caucasian hair types. Thermal reconditioning does not work on tightly curled hair, so this process may not work for you. Have the stylist perform a test strand to make sure your hair reacts appropriately.

The most important disadvantage with chemical hair straighteners is the damage it does to your hair. Whenever you use these chemicals on your hair, it actually pulls apart the protein bonds found in your hair. This makes your hair vulnerable to the sun, pollution, and heat. Immediately after having a chemical straightener performed, always follow up with conditioners and other products that will help to keep your hair healthy and full of luster and shine.

An electric hair straightener allows you to change your hairstyle temporarily. This could be an advantage for some that like to switch up their hairstyles every week or it could be a disadvantage for those that want to permanently change their hair. Hair straighteners cost from $25-$400 and differ in the technology they use to create your straightened hairdo. After the initial investment, an electric hair straightener will not cost you anything else other than the electricity to run it. Ceramic hair straighteners are considered one of the best for its moderate price range. It will keep your hair smooth and will not damage your hair as badly as some of the cheaper ones. Buying a cheap hair straightener will cause your hair to become damaged and brittle overtime because of the heat. This could be devastating for some that try to keep their hair the healthiest possible.

Deciding on which type of hair straightener is best for you depends whether or not you are looking for a permanent or temporary style. Choose the chemical straightener after researching all the concerns on hair damage or pick the quick and easy electric hair straightener that allows you to change your hairstyle any day of the week. Whichever you pick, you are sure to be please with your brand new hairstyle.

Hair Straightener Technology

Shilah — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:19:42 +0000

There has been a drastic change with hair straigteners. They use special types of metal plates that use different types of metal, rocks, and heating elements. A gem by the name of tourmaline can be found crushed into the metal plates on high priced hair straighteners. Tourmaline has negative ions, so it causes your hair to be smoother and lessens fly-aways. Just a few decades ago, women were forced to use their everyday clothes iron to straighten their hair. Now this today’s increase in technology and understanding of hair follicles, the hair straightening market has soared. Since straight hair is extremely popular and fashionable, there are different kinds of hair straighteners to fit all hair types.

Maybe you are asking yourself why would they place a beautiful gem in a metal plate? Well the answer may surprise you. A tourmaline plate transmits negative ions to your hair keeping it looking healthy and shiny. A hair straightener with tourmaline technology will straighten hair much faster as well. They can be rather expensive, so make sure buying one fits within your budget.

Some hair straighteners use steam to get your hair straight. These types of hair straighteners are not for all hair types. They also use a hot metal plate along with the steam to force your hair to straighten. This type of straightener may cause flyaways and frizz.

Infrared Ionic technology water molecules are absorbed easier into the hair through this method. The condition of your hair can actually be improved through this simple process! Combining this technology with Ionic adds more moisture to your hair and seals the cuticle giving your hair lots of shine. Most salons and hair stylists use this combination of technology to achieve the best results possible.

Ceramic plates are the most popular hair straightening technology out there today. They heat up rapidly and work even on the worst hair imaginable. They tame frizz and also lessen fly-aways, which may reduce the number of bad hair days! Ceramic plate hair straigheners are moderately priced, so look around before purchasing one. Having beautiful hair does not mean you must spend tons of money.

There are many different types of hair straighteners in today’s market. The technology behind these has advanced greatly over the past few decades. Since straight hair is popular among celebrities and models, manufacturers have found new ways to straighten hair without damaging it too severely.

Hair Straightener Options

Shilah — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 07:25:42 +0000

So you’ve decided to straighten your hair? Perhaps you need a break from your tired almost curled look? Or maybe you want to break into something new like a sleek and straight cut or a simple yet modern straight styling?

You’re in luck.

With any of the many technologies available today there are numerous options to straighten your hair even if you have the most stubborn curls at the moment.

You may decide that you want to select one of the many electric heat-activated hair straighteners on the market. These powerful little hair appliances allow you to straighten your hair within the comfort of your own home. You will be free to experiment with different techniques and styles right in front of your own mirror.

These units are relatively affordable with prices starting at as little as $30. Keep in mind though, as with so many things, that you’ll have to pay more for quality. A better hair straightening iron will cost closer to $100 with prices as high as $500 for a professional quality unit! Don’t despair though, most inexpensive units will be sufficient for those who will only be tackling the task of straightening their locks on an occasional basis rather than a daily routine. Before dropping cold, hard cash on an untested unit it can be advisable to read one of the many review sites found online to see what other users have to say about the hair iron you may be considering.

If you would prefer a more permanent option, chemical straightening may be what you’re looking for. Keep in mind though that a chemical hair straightener may do damage to your hair or scalp if used repeatedly. Even with sporadic use the chemicals contained in hair straightening treatments may be harsh or irritate the skin. That’s not to say they aren’t worth using- many people have found them to be a reliable and simple way to achieve the look they are searching for. If you are uncertain about their application, or feel awkward using a chemical treatment for the first time, it may be advisable to consult your local salon rather than risk damage to your hair by struggling on your own. Your hair is not something most women want to experiment with!

Regardless of your decision, there are many safe and reliable ways to change your look. Keep in mind that you may need to pay a bit more for a quality product and when in doubt- consult a professional!

Straightening Hair With A Clothing Iron

Shilah — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:21:42 +0000

In older generations it was traditionally believed that having long flowing curls was the best hairstyle. With the changing cultural believes and ideals, this changed drastically in the 1960’s. Long, straight hair was extremely popular with models, singer celebrities, and other icons in the media. This centralized trend spread by going on to provoke a hair straightening impulse for the younger generation.

Using an anti-permanent was a way to straightened hair, but it was eventually being abandoned by girls who found them expensive or generally too painful and difficult. Soon these girls who were looking to tame their curly hair, began to execute a much easier process of straightening. These women began using clothes irons to get the straightness they wanted. Even though ironing their hair had to be repeated with each washing, it was much easier than an anti-permanent.

These women would sit down eye level with the ironing board and have a friend or relative run a clothes iron over their hair slowly. This process would take a few minutes, but achieved the desired results! It seemed like a new era, but rather quickly these women were finding their hair become brittle, dry and heat damaged. Ironing the hair became a short lived rebellious activity of young adults.

Fears of mistreating your hair through this ritual of ironing hair came to the surface rather quickly. There were horrid reports of women burning themselves and having their hair break from the heat damage. Even though these reports came out, some of the women in the 60’s were determined to have straight hair no matter what the means. This tradition went on for quite a few years. Today, manufacturers have answered the call of those women from several decades ago and make straighteners that are more friendly to your hair. Even though these women literally burned their hair to achieve straight locks it is now an acceptable hairstyle. The hair straighteners of today have safeguards to help prevent heat damage, but you still have to use caution when using them.

Never try using a clothes iron on your hair even if your hair straightener happens to break suddenly. You can burn your face, arms, and hair which may cause scaring or irreparable damage. The metal on the bottom of an iron is not suitable for hair, so do not think to use it even in the case of an emergency date or get together.

Hair Straightening For The High School Prom

Shilah — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:48:42 +0000

As the end of the school year rapidly approaches, most teenage girls are dreaming about their high school prom. There are so many different things you will need such as a gown, matching accessories, a perfect hairstyle and most importantly a date! Most teenagers want to do something totally different with their hair without sacrificing the trends or elegant style. Straightening your hair for prom could be the perfect hairstyle for you! Even if your hair is wavy or tightly curled, straightening your hair can be easy with the right techniques and tools.

Straightening hair has become a much easier task because of the new technology found in the heated hair straighteners. If your peers at school have only seen you with those tightly wound curls on your head, then impress them with straight locks on that special night. Even those people with the tightest curls can have straight hair for their prom. Be sure you use a hair straightener with ceramic plates, so that you get the best shine and silkiness possible. Tightly curled hair will need a straightener with the ability to reach very high temperatures.

Straight hair can look extremely flattering and elegant for your prom, so do not shun away from this hairstyle. Having straight hair does not have to be boring or lack volume and texture. If your dress is backless or has decorative gems on the back, then pull it back to allow those features to shine through. A dress with no gems or straps on the back, you may want to allow your hair down. Allowing your hair down, it may cause you problems because of it getting in your face. Try out a few styles before your big night to see what you like best. With your straightened hair, you can braid random pieces to keep it interesting and add character while showing off your new do to your friends and handsome date.

Dressing your hair with flowers and special gems can add some unique character and sparkle to your straight hairdo. Switch around your part to give your hairdo something special for your prom night. Flipping the ends in or out could also be a great way to add volume. Your local salon may be able to give you ideas on ways to dress up your straightened hairdo.

Prom is a special event for every teenage girl and having a brand new fashionable hairdo is extremely important. Impress your friends, family and date with your new straight hairstyle. As you dance and walk around with friends, you will feel elegant, sophisticated and feel like a star.

Safety Tips While Using Your Electric Hair Straightener

Shilah — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:39:42 +0000

As with any type of electric device, you will need to be cautious while using it. Since an electric hair straightener has a heating element to force your hair straight, you will need to keep it in a safe place. Here are a few tips to keep you safe while using a electric hair straightener.

Before each use always check the cord for any breakage or dampness. If it is possible to store your hair straightener in a cool, dry area, then make sure to do that.

An electric hair straightener can become extremely hot and reach temperatures that could give you severe burns to your face, fingers, scalp, and even hair. Always set the temperature to the lowest setting that will still give you the results you like. Having the temperature set too high may cause your hair to burn or become damaged rather quickly. Make sure you grasp onto the hair straightener by the designated handle and never try to pick it up by the plates. Even if you think the straightener is turned off, be sure to treat it as if it were on.

Most women get ready for their day in the bathroom. Most bathrooms have limited counter space and you may find yourself having to work near the sink. Be extra cautious to stay away from the bath tub, running shower, and sink while using the hair straightener. You could become shocked if it fell into water. Try to have outlets away from sinks, so you do not place yourself in a dangerous situation.

After you are finished using the hair straightener, the device will remain extremely hot for some time. It is best to allow it to cool naturally away from paper, plastic, towels, and wooden cabinets. The hot temperatures on the plates could spark a fire or melt through items of importance to you.

Using a hair straightener everyday will eventually cause damage to your beautiful hair. This will help to switch up your look every day of the week. Try to refrain from everyday usage because overuse of heat can be problematic for your hair’s health. If you find that your hair is becoming dry and damage, check with your local store for products to protect your hair.

If you use some common sense while operating an electric hair straightener, you will be able to avoid any problems. With your new hair straightener you will be able to experience many more hairstyles than you ever thought possible.