Choosing the best Ceramic Plates for your Hair Type

Finding the right hair straightening tool for you can sometimes seem like a daunting task with so many different models out there and so many options for metals, ceramic plates, sizes, and so much more it can get confusing. Many of the great features on professional hair iron tools are really just a matter of personal preference. Such as ionic technology, it is not vital to have this feature that adds negative ions into your hair to help it maintain its health and vitality. But one feature that is more specific for each user that should be considered is the size of the ceramic plates on the straightener you decide to purchase.

Many people automatically opt for the one-inch plates, which is the sort of generic ceramic plate size for a hair straightener. This is usually a good choice but there are times and certain hair types that will call for a different plate size and for those circumstances the right plates on your tourmaline ceramic hair iron will get the bets results for the look your are trying to achieve. If you hair is very thick or very long then you will want to go with larger ceramic plates on your iron to accomadate the hair. While those with shorter or thinner hair will want smaller plates since they will have less hair to be working with and will need the more precise action. Of course any iron can get the job done, some are just better suited for your needs than others.

Hair Straightening Tips

Getting sleek shiny straight hair with an ceramic hair iron, takes a little practice but once you master some simple techniques you can quickly and easily master the straight hair look, which is so popular currently.

• Use the lowest heat setting necessary on the hair straightening tool for your hair type – Professional hair tools have variable temperature adjustments which will allow you to choose the settings which is just right for your hair. Thin or damaged hair should stay in the lower temps while very thick hair will need higher settings to optimally straightener the hair. While most hair types will use the middle temperature settings on the ceramic hair straightener to get the curl out.
• Comb your hair out before attempting to straightener your hair with a flattening iron – Tangles in your hair will not straighten properly with a ceramic hair iron, so comb out your hair thoroughly to get the absolute smoothest straightening of your hair possible.
• Straighten you hair in sections – It is easiest to divide your hair into small manageable areas to straighten. This makes the heat from the ceramic hair iron more effective on the area that you are currently working on.
• Work from root to tip – Slowly run the hair straightening tool you are using from the root of the current section you are working to the tip in a smooth gliding motion.

With a little time and practice you can become as good as a professional stylist at straightening your hair with a hair straightening tool.

Hair Care Shampoo

Buying the right shampoo is easy. It’s when you take it home and find that what you thought it would do it doesn’t that makes it frustrating! Ph balance again is important but no shampoo is going to “fix” your hair. Read the label before you buy, is it for your hair type? When you do use shampoo use the amount that is right for your length. If you have really long hair I suggest using twice as much than you would for shoulder length hair (about a toonie for shoulder length).

When shampooing always massage into your scalp with your fingers, not nails and let the shampoo run through the rest of your hair while you are rinsing. This will prevent your hair from becoming to dry. Do not shampoo your hair everyday, your hair has natural occurring oils that are good it. I realize hair that is thin and fine needs to be washed more often, but this is the worst thing for this kind of hair. If you can, on the second day try to put your hair up instead of washing it. If you do not use too many styling products on day one of shampooing, your hair will not look as oily on day two. This Paul Mitchell Clarify product is a good choice to start the routine of washing every two days

Paul Mitchell’s Clarify Shampoo

Try to stay away from products that are a shampoo and conditioner in one. Do you notice that some people can go days without washing their hair and it still looks healthy and shiny? Well I know it is a little depressing for those who cannot, but after you shampoo every second day instead of everyday your hair will start to be “okay” with this. The first little while your hair may still look a little oily at the roots but this starts to diminish. Also to avoid excess damage make sure you use your styling tools, ie: hair straightener, curling irons and blow dryers at the correct setting for your hair. Too hot, more damage on thinner, finer hair types.

Till next time, Good Luck

Niki

Professional Hairstyling Tips

Here are some tips for various kinds of hair types:

For thin hair always use a volumizer, you should choose products that will specify that it wont weigh your hair down. Wait until your hair is almost dry and blow dry upside down. Do not use your hands to shake your hair while drying, this tends to make hair look frizzy once your done.

Pull your roots out with your fingers or a brush, firmly, hold the blow dryer to the roots for a few seconds, then take the blowdryer away and still holding onto your roots (almost pulling) let your hair cool down before letting go. Do this all over, tugging at your roots and holding hairdryer to them. This will give you volume from the root.

Try coloring your hair, this will give volume, manageability and body to fine thin hair. There are a ton of different colors to choose from and you could always just go with highlights or streaking. (your hair!)

For reviving a perm in between perms try using a curl enhancer.

This look can be achieved by using Aveda curl enhancer, a hair diffuser, ( which is used to blow dry curls that will not seperate them while drying) drying upside down and scrunching.

For thick frizzy, wiry type hair I would suggest using a defrizzer or shiner, a straight iron will also help to flatten, smooth and gives greater control. Bumble & Bumble is just one of many different brands for helping tame frizz.

Although I do not normally suggest buying products from a store I recommend only one if you do and that is Sunsilk. I have said it before and I will say it again, “I have had nothing but good come out of using their products.” They have a whole product line for this type of hair, shampoo, conditioner and defrizzers.

Most products from the store are watered down and contain wax. Next time you shampoo your hair put a little baking soda in with it and wash normally. You will feel a huge difference in your hair because you just stripped all of the store bought products out of your hair. But DO NOT USE if you have to go out, you will have what looks like dandruff but is in fact flakes of all the stuff that we call wax coming out of your hair. Do the baking soda method a few times until you do not see any flakes. Unbelievable isn’t it?

Salon products are concentrated and are PH balanced for your hair. A normal ph balance is around 5.5.

To keep your hair in the style that you like, you must see your hairdresser regularly. A good haircut must be maintained and I suggest not waiting any longer than 6 weeks between visits. Until next time…Good luck!

Niki

Hair Brush – Choosing the Best Hair Brush for You

With so many hair brushes to choose from it can be overwhelming on deciding which one to purchase. Many of us may think that the type of hair brush we use won’t make a difference but the fact is that it indeed will.

Types of Hair Brushes to Choose from;

Straightening Brushes

When it comes to straightening brushes you have a few choices. These brushes can be used before using your hair straightener to help straighten the curliest of hair.

1. Barrel Brush

These brushes are round and are for used for finishing meaning straightening and shaping. These brushes are also great for adding volume. A professional Barrel Brush will offer great control, faster drying and styling as well as be sure to look for a Barrel Brush made with 100% Boar Bristle-First Cut as this part of the boar bristle provides shine and and smooths hair by closing the hairs cuticle.

These brushes are available in different sizes for different lengths of hair. They are great for all hair types.

2. Ceramic Styler

A Ceramic Styler is designed to be used with your hair dryer and features a vented design to allow for quicker drying time. The ceramic plates work to leave hair smooth and shiny by locking in moisture. A professional Ceramic Styler will usually be made from 100% Natural Boar Bristles.

This type of hair brush is best for medium to long hair of all hair types. Can be used to straighten as well as add waves and loose curls.

3. Ionic Hair Brush

These brushes use negative ions to rid of frizz, add shine and make hair smooth and soft. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes so you can choose what you prefer to use be it a barrel or paddle brush.

These brushes usually come made with either nylon or boar bristles. If you have thin, weak, fragile or damaged hair it is best to go with nylon bristles as boar bristles are known to ‘grip’ hair which could break weak strands.

Massage Brushes

These brushes are meant for for brushing the hair than actually styling the hair. They are great for providing a gentle scalp massage as well as helping stimulate circulation. They are often used when shampooing or applying other hair styling products.

These brushes are a great way to help promote healthy hair growth and are great for all hair types.

Styling Brushes

These all purpose styling hair brushes usually feature 6-8 rows of straight tufts of bristles. They are sued to style, smooth and shape the hair. Made with nylon pins these brushes offer snag free styling and are best for thick hair types.

Vented Brushes

These brushes are designed to make drying hair quicker and the help to add volume and texture to hair. These brushes are also available in barrel, ionic and ceramic styles making them great for all different hair types and lengths.

Cushion Brushes

These brushes are made with a soft rubber base and are gentle on hair and scalp. Also known as a paddle brush these hair brushes are perfect for those with thin, damaged, fragile and fine hair types. Can also be used on other types as well, great for hair that needs to be brushed out before styling and for finishing styles.

Available in a variety of bristle types, shapes and sizes.

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