Hair Care News

Hairstyle Ideas for Long, Straight Hair

Posted on January 13, 2012 with No Comments

Now that 2012 is upon us, everyone is looking for a new style to wear this year. While almost anything goes, long, straight hair seems to be a preferred look among the top-celebrities and athletes. Here are several looks you can consider that will make long and straight hair look great!

If you tired of the same boring straight look, try some of these hairstyle ideas for long, straight hair. There is a look out there for you to ensure that you look the best that you possibly can for this coming year.

There are plenty of great hairstyle ideas for long, straight hair and all it takes is for you to do some experimentation to find out what works for you. Step out of your comfort zone and you will be happy that you did!

What Shampoos Are Good for Thinning Hair

Posted on December 13, 2010 with No Comments

Hair loss can effect anyone at any age, so finding what shampoos are good for thinning hair can be life changing. One of the easiest way to battle thinning hair is to find a good thinning hair shampoo. There are many out there on the market so finding one that works well with you is not as hard as it used to be. There are two different shampoos that will help, one help regrow your hair and the other just makes the hair shaft thicker giving the appearance of fuller hair.

Either of these type of shampoos are fine but one is a short term fix the other is a long term solution. Thinning hair can become brittle and weak, which can cause the hair to grow even slower. Another thing you can do is add supplements to your thinning hair routine.

These can make the hair more healthy and grow faster, which leads to more hair growth. A balanced diet can help with hair growth as well. Things like lean meat, broccoli, turnips, green beans, peaches, pineapple, whole wheat, asparagus, pinto beans, bran whole milk, cottage cheese and cream. These foods can give you the vitamins and minerals you need to make your hair more healthy.

Always remember when washing your hair massage your scalp gently to stimulate blood flow. This will get more blood to the bulb of the hair causing it to become more healthy. Also make sure you use a clarifying shampoo to clean build up from the environment or products.

Adding a little emu oil to your shampoo can help make hair healthy as well or finding a shampoo that has emu oil in it is a plus. If you would like to in a different direction for quicker results you can try a thickening shampoo and conditioner. If will not give you more hair but it will plump up the hair you have. Try to stay away from products that have harsh chemical they can make the hair fall worse.

Moroccan Oil Series – Product Reviews

Posted on July 13, 2009 with No Comments

Innovation has never been the strong suit of the hair care industry. Instead, companies rely mostly on taglines, bylines, smooth talking salesmen, pretty commercials, and emotion-based marketing tactics to promote their wares that, more often than not, use the exact same formulas and chemicals.

Moroccan Oil

Strip away all the hype, cover your eyes, randomly pick a shampoo, and you’d end up with exactly the same product with only slight differences in ingredients more often than not.

Therefore, the introduction of the Moroccan Oil® brand and its “Series” of products is a refreshing change in a market swamped with bland, over-hyped shampoos, oils, treatments, conditioners, 2-in-1 shampoos and conditioners, and many other miscellaneous formulas that offer the same end via the same means. However, could it be that Moroccan Oil® itself is an overrated product as well? We’ll find out in this review.

One of the things that separate Moroccan Oil® from other brands is its manner of dosage and treatment. In order to get a natural, silky softness that whole generations of hair care brands claim to provide, you need only apply a few small drops (Argan Oil) to clean, wet hair from its roots to its tips. Say goodbye to the greasy feel of other serums that weighs down.

Moreover, this truly revolutionary product line works its concentrated magic by nourishing your scalp with valuable antioxidants like Vitamins F and E, penetrating deep into the roots and repairing all its split ends in one fell swoop. Considering that it does all this in just a few drops, it may not be an exaggeration to refer to this product as a super serum of sorts that works well on all types – especially for shine, faster drying and improved smoothness.

One of the things I think is now so great about their line is that in addition to their best selling Argan Oil treatment, they have now introduced the “Moroccan Oil Series” that includes: a Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner, an Intense Curl Cream, Gold Glimmer Shine, and a Restorative Hair Mask – all with Argan-based formulations or with the use of unique and pretty effective ingredients.

The true test to Moroccan Oil®’s mettle is, of course with its shampoo, how it handles two extreme types—the coarse, dry ones and the thinning, breakage-prone ones. Considering its potency, it won’t really help in restoring follicles that have begun to shed, especially considering the fact that it contains no DHT blockers in its formula.

Furthermore, it caters more to the latter dry type because untangling knots and curls is its specialty. It can be used on any hair type, but the puffier and more unruly, the better it performs.

As for the drawbacks, its subtle, incense-like smell may not be for everyone, especially those who prefer a tropical aroma over its spicy Caribbean coconut smell. Although its benefits reach panacea-like proportions (it protects against ultraviolet rays and pollutants, leaves no build up or residue, and so on), its results may vary from person to person.

Regardless of its shortcomings, Moroccan Oil® remains styling and hair care products of choice for types ranging from thin, (but not thinning) normal to thick and coarse. As such, until a better product comes along, it gets a nigh-perfect 9.5 out of 10 star rating.

Shampoo for Dense, Coarse or Thick Hair

Posted on May 26, 2009 with No Comments

Two years ago my wife and I were fortunate (blessed) to adopt a 5-year-old boy from Guatemala.  He always has a smile on his face, is inquisitive, humble, smart and has the thickest, densest hair of anyone I’ve ever met.

No kidding – his hair is jet black, stands straight-up and as thick as a carpet.  Whenever he is in the sun, his head absorbs heat like asphalt on an August day and the sweat starts falling, even when the temperature is rather mild.  It is coarse and stiff, and we have experimented with all sorts of shampoos to keep his scalp moisturized and follicles somewhat soft and manageable – what we needed was a shampoo for dense, coarse and thick hair.

Needless to say, we have several hispanic friends – mainly from Central and South America – and many of the “hispanics” we know have similar challenges, whether they’re from Mexico, Guatemala or Venezuela.  And the issue we hear repeatedly is how to maintain and manage hair that is so coarse and thick.

Here is what we have found.  First, maintaining moisture is paramount and the two best products we found for that are those with emu oil or LusterPlex.  LusterPlex, interestingly, was developed by Croda (a personal products research and ingredient company) to increase flexibility, shine and smoothness of coarse or thick hair.  It has become a top active ingredient for use in African American hair products for its’ properties for increasing sheen and reducing breaking.

Shampoos and conditioners with this ingredient work great for hispanic hair (latino, latina) too - I can attest.  Though density hasn’t changed (and I hope it doesn’t for a long time), his hair is much softer and smoother – and doesn’t have that “velcro” feel.  It still gets hot – as a recent trip to the pool proved, but the feel of brittleness is gone and it doesn’t seem to get as dirty as it once did.

The other ingredient I mentioned was emu oil.  Emu oil is great for moisturizing the scalp and works very well in shampoos and conditioners.  It is a very popular ingredient for African American shampoos and for anyone who deals with breakage or coarseness.  It is a great moisturizer – reducing dryness and poor hydration – and works well for those whose locks are thin…it adds body, softness and life.

Zincidone (Zinc PCA) – 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor & Sebum Control

Posted on April 27, 2009 with No Comments

Zincidone (Zinc PCA) is a an effective ingredient used in popular clarifying shampoos such as Follicleanse and for products developed to block DHT.  Zinc PCA has been shown to reduce sebum production as well as blocking the conversion of 5-Alpha Reductase Enzymes.  Reduced sebum flow helps guard onset of Seborrheic Dermatitis believed to be the result of yeast and oil forming bacteria.

Zincidone tested at 10-7m reduces 5″ alpha reductase power by 65%.  At 1%, in vivo tests have exhibited a 22% reduction in sebum flow.  Barnet Products Corporation

Needless to say, its’ efficacy for products for oily hair or to inhibit DHT are measurable, making it well suited for hair loss, thinning in men and for deep-cleaning and regulating excessive scalp oils.

How to Spend Less on Hair Care during a Recession

Posted on April 26, 2009 with 1 Comment

Many of us have lengthened the time between stylings and haircuts in the past year or so.  As a result, many of our friends (and stylists who work with us) report increase in problems – particularly dryness, frizziness and increased breaking.

Basically there is a fundamental cause.  Flat irons and curling can reduce moisture content in the follicles.  Additionally, a periodic cut trims spit-ends and frizz.  Though we may have some “cut shock” following styling, it does help keep hair smoother and easier to manage (usually within a week).  But, with many of us postponing the $45-$125 treatment due to economic issues, paying a bit more attention to cleansers and conditioners, may keep our healthier.

1. Keep your moisture up – Normal moisture content for follicles is about 8%.  Below that you will experience dryness and lack of control.  While inexpensive shampoos are especially appealing when you walk down the Wal-Mart beauty aisle, consider many products may not give your hair the nutrition and hydration necessary for prolonged health.  A more expensive shampoo is generally that way for a reason.  Most manufacturers price their products competitively.  Excessive pricing is generally a result of either packaging or marketing.  Find a manufacturer where you can buy “direct” and you will usually find the best products at the best price.
2. Conditioners help (a lot) – Many conditioners can help repair damage as well as provide protection.  Most of us have just gotten back from Spring Break – so, we probably have been in the sun, ocean or possibly on the slopes.  UVA/UVB damage combined with Chlorine from pools or salt water can dry out locks and make styling pretty difficult.  Again, the best conditioners are generally pretty expensive, but they are best because of the ingredients.  Emu Oil, Jojoba Oil, Panthenol and various proteins proven to moisturize and improve control are top of the line ingredients used by manufacturers – because they work.

 While more expensive products are not a panacea, they tend to last longer, require less application, and are best at improving scalp and follicle health.  In a time where we are all watching our pennies, a little investment in hair care can reduce costs in the short and long run.