7 rules for a stress-free life

Banish negatives and beat stress with tips from Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey
His life may look easy and breezy, but Matthew McConaughey has to stuff
as much crap into his 24-hour sack as you do. "I've a lot of responsibilities and I love accomplishing goals and marking things off my bucket list," he says. "But things do get overwhelming." He has fi gured out a few ways to eliminate negatives like anger, impatience and wasted effort. The results are clear.

1. See eye-to-eye with your job
   "The situation can never be greater than you are," he says. "If it is, you're never going to be able to engage and give your full talent, because you're not looking at it eye-to-eye."
   
2. Learn the sneaky workout
   McConaughey has those days, too: no exercise time. He compensates with active bursts throughout the day. "I'll drop and give myself 20 pushups at intervals. Also I have a 5.5kg medicine ball. I'll think, pick up the medicine ball and don't put it down for 30 minutes."
   
3. Customise your to-do list
   "I'll put fun things on my list to give me more things to cross off," he says. "Like, 'surf for an hour'. When you get to the one near the bottom and it says, 'Watch Monday Night football', it's like, yeah!"
   
4. Adopt a simple philosophy
   Some of life's biggest stressors are the remains of self-destructive things you do. "I don't like to leave crumbs," he says. "I like to do things right, and not cheat to get 'em done. I don't owe anybody anything. I never go anywhere and worry, 'Oh ****, so-and-so's here.'"
   
5. Insulate yourself
   McConaughey explains with a metaphor: "I like to create my own weather so then I can blow in the wind. If you've got positive, likeminded
   people around you, then your systems are in place. I don't have to be looking over my shoulder. I can just blow in the wind."
   
6. Know what you don't know
   Fighting to prove you know something when you don't wastes time and sucks energy. "'I don't know' can be perceived as a weakness, but I see it as a sign of intelligence. How else will you learn something new?" he asks.
   
7. Schedule the pleasure, too
   How much pleasure do you really allow yourself to have every day? "You have to be more fl exible and enjoy things. Lighten up! It's your lifestyle, not your life."
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Dr.T

7 Food Safety Tips For the Fourth of July

Fourth of July is all fun and games — until someone gets food poisoning! OK, while that may not be your biggest concern this holiday, don't forget food safety when making salads and moving meat from the kitchen to the 'cue. Here are a few important rules to remember.

1. Clean your plates. If you transport raw meat to the grill on a platter, be sure to wash the platter before plating up the cooked meat or swap out a clean one.
   
2. Keep separate cutting boards. Don't use the same cutting board for raw meat that you do for other foods, and be sure to wash rigorously anything that comes into contact with the raw stuff.
   
3. Take the temperature. Use a meat thermometer to determine when you meat is cooked: the FDA recommends a temp of 160°F for ground beef and 165°F for poultry.
   For tips regarding the nonmeat part of the meal, read more.
   
4. Wash the produce. Even if you're grilling the veggies, be sure to rinse them thoroughly and give potatoes and root veggies a scrub with a brush.
   
5. Opt for loose lettuce. Avoid potentially contaminated bagged produce and go for heads of lettuce instead. Better yet, discard the outermost layers before washing.
   
6. Mind the mayo. Don't leave mayonnaise-based salads like potato salad out for more than two hours or, if it's above 90°F, an hour.
   
7. Put it away. Refrigerate any leftovers within two hours of eating.
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   source ;rizwan1989,nicefun,net

7 dont's after a meal

1. Don't smoke - Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher).
   
2. Don't eat fruits immediately - Immediately eating fruits after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air. Therefore take fruit 1-2 hr after meal or 1hr before meal.
   
3. Don't drink tea - Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid. This substance will cause the Protein content in the food we consume to be hardened thus difficult to digest.
   
4. Don't loosen your belt - Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted & blocked.
   
5. Don't bathe - Bathing will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease. This will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.
   
6. Don't walk about - People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99. In actual fact this is not true. Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.
   
7. Don't sleep immediately - The food we intake will not be able to digest properly. Thus will lead to gastric & infection in our intestine.
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   source ; rizwan1989,nicefun,net
   

5 ways to cut on flab

The only way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise so that you burn more calories than you consume. But this simple arithmetic is very difficult to put into practice. Every day, situations crop up that make it impossible for you to find time for the gym or have a healthy tuna salad for lunch. The challenge lies in finding the perfect diet-activity balance that works for you.

There are hundreds of fad diets and weight-loss programmes that promise quick and easy weight loss, but in most cases, the weight lost comes back. "The basic foundation of every successful weight-loss programme still remains a healthy diet combined with exercise. You have to change your lifestyle to lose weight and then keep it off," says nutritionist Ishi Khosla.

Some sustainable ways to lose weight and keep it off is eating a wide variety of nutritionally dense foods and following the five basic principles of healthy eating.

1. Know when to stop eating
   Inactive men need about 1,800 calories and women up to 1,600 calories a day. Eating 300 to 400 fewer calories a day will help you shed 2 kg in a month, but to ensure you don't have deficiencies, opt for nutritious foods that are low in calories, such as vegetables and wholegrains and legumes.
   
2. Get moving now
   There is no getting away from it. Do at least 45 minutes of exercise at least five times a week. "It's a myth that exercise makes you hungry and you end up eating more and putting on weight. In fact, exercise pushes up the basal metabolic rate and makes you burn up more calories through the day, even when you are not exercising," says Dr Parmeet Kaur, chief of dietetics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
   
3. Don't fall for fad diets
   Fad diets don't work for long as they usually exclude certain types of foods, or at times, entire food groups. "Fad diets are not balanced and deprive people of important nutrients, creating a nutritional gap. They are also difficult to follow and cause people to give up and gain weight again," says Khosla.
   
4. Cut back on fat and sugar
   The best way to keep weight off is to make small dietary changes, such as avoiding — but not totally giving up — fried foods and desserts, that often contain more calories than the rest of the meal without the nutrition. Replace desserts with plenty of vegetables, fruits, and legumes; eat small, single servings of foods high in fat or calories; choose low-fat or double-toned milk products and reduced fat cheeses; ration edible oils and have a mix of them; choose roasting or steam foods as a cooking option; avoid sugary drinks, including sweetened fruit juices; and avoid alcohol. "People end up drinking a lot of calories, so it is important to keep track of what you are drinking too," says Khosla. Most packaged food labels list the amount of nutrients and calories the food gives you, so do read up. "But don't follow labels blindly, as sugar-free may have fructose, which is worse with insulin resistance than glucose," says Khosla.
   
5. Avoid diet pills
   Diet pills available over the counter do not make a big difference to how much you lose or how long you can keep the weight off. However safe they may claim to be, never have them without prescription. "Diet pills are needed only for the morbidly obese or those who have hormonal imbalances and should never be had without prescription as they can cause side effects, such as high blood pressure, even in healthy people," warns Khosla.
   

Also, be careful about taking cough or cold medicines with over-the-counter diet pills as these medicines may contain the same molecule as the one used in diet pills, or a similar drug with the same effects. "If you take more than one medication together, it may interact and cause problems, so don't look for short-cuts to lose weight," says Kaur.

Most advertisements that promise quick-fix weight loss solutions using machines and gizmos don't work. Finasterid can be obtained through a prescription and it is in the form of a tablet taken daily.

"If the treatment is stopped, the hair loss as a rule will start again," said Garcia Bartels. The price of the drug - about 150 euros ($220) for a three-month supply - is high. Somewhat more economical is Minoxidil, which is a lotion that must be applied to the scalp twice a day. Originally developed as a blood pressure medication, Minoxidil was found to have the side effect of hair growth.

Minoxidil's success rate is however lower: while hair loss is stopped in 80 percent of the people who use finasterid, the rate is 70 percent among people who apply Minoxidil. Additionally, 70 to 80 percent of finasterid users experience hair re-growth. This is true for 50 to 60 percent of Minoxidil users.

Apart from these medicines and the toupee, there is another way of achieving a full head of hair again - hair transplantation. This involves removing pieces of skin with hair follicles from another part of the body, typically the back of the neck, and transplanting them at the bald spots.

"Such measures come into play only if the hair loss has ended," said Garcia Bartels. Otherwise, the remaining original hair will continue to fall out around the newly transplanted hair.

Hair transplantation is a very costly solution of baldness. The cost of refilling in a small spot with hair can run over 1,000 euros.

"The results that I have seen thus far are not especially satisfying," said Hofmann. Apparently, it is better when a man accepts his baldness.

"The problems that men have with hair loss decline anyway as they get older," said Henss. "Perhaps time does not grant a full head of hair, but it does heal all wounds."
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Source ; Maria ,nicefun,net

5 tips to lose belly fat

5 Facts You MUST Understand if You Are Ever Going to Lose Your Belly Fat and Get Six Pack Abs

1. Many so-called "health foods" are actually cleverly disguised junk foods that actually stimulate you to gain more belly fat... yet the diet food marketing industry continues to lie to you so they can maximize their profits.
   
2. Ab exercises like crunches, sit-ups, and ab machines are the LEAST effective method of getting flat six pack abs. We'll explore what types of exercises REALLY work in a minute.
   
3. Boring repetitive cardio exercise routines are NOT the best way to lose body fat and uncover those six pack abs. I'll show you the exact types of unique workouts that produce 10x better results below.
   
4. You DON'T need to waste your money on expensive "extreme fat burner" pills (that don't work) or other bogus supplements. A special class of natural foods is much more effective. I'll tell you about these natural foods and their powers below.
   
5. Ab belts, ab-rockers, ab-loungers, and other infomercial ab-gimmicks... they're all a complete waste of your time and money. Despite the misleading infomercials, the perfectly chiseled fitness models in the commercials did NOT get their perfect body by using that "ab contraption"... they got their perfect body through REAL workouts and REAL nutrition strategies. Again, you'll learn some of their secrets and what really works below.
   _________________
   

Source ; Dr.T ,nicefun.net

Vitamins and Minerals for Beautiful Hair

Vitamin and mineral deficiency can influence your hair detrimentally. No hair repair complexes, masks and other external influence won't be effective if your health status is not good. If you have impoverished hair, think about your organism condition. As usually hair health problem keep pace with some diseases or hormonal changes (pregnancy, as a general rule). The most significant for hair are usually digestive organ and liver diseases.

Vitamin deficiency is also important for hair loss or slipping hair. To get healthy chevelure, you need silicium, zinc, iodine, magnesium, selenium, copper. The only one component deficiency can lead to hair loss. The necessary vitamins are: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin В group. You also won't have healthy hair with hypoferremia and hypokalemia.

So talking of healthy hair should be started with the necessary vitamin and mineral complexes description. As usual you may take pharmaceutical preparations for skin, nail and hair. Take care! Always read the supplement with all your eyes. Some of these complexes contain an overmuch vitamin A dose. Remember the necessary dose for a woman is 700 mg\day.
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Source ; Dr.George nicefun.net

Hair Conditioning Tips

First of all, hair conditioning is its moistening. But hair conditioner has sleeking and repairing functions except of moisturizing. Hair conditioner value is not only in the fact that after using it we have well-groomed, shining hair that do not get tangled, but in the fact that it restores the hair, moisturizes and protects it from harmful environment as well. What should we know about the hair conditioner for using it with maximum benefit for the hair?

• Any type of hair needs conditioning. Even greasy hair requires moisturizing.
  
• There is no need to keep normal hair conditioning on hair because it is not a mask. Conditioning substance must stay on hair surface but not penetrate inside it.
  
• In contrast to conventional conditioner, intensive conditioner should not just being hold on the hair during the time specified in the instructions, it is better to wear a plastic hat or a plastic bag, and cover the head with towel.
  
• Intensive conditioners (whey) can moisturize the hair more deeply, but you cannot use them oftener than once per two weeks.
  
• If it is indicated on the vial with hair conditioner that it needs to be washed off, do not keep it on the hair. The conditioner not being washed could not prevent your hair from overdrying with hairdryer, but could make it heavier, so it becomes greasy very quickly.
  
• Those people commit an error that apply hair conditioner only at the hair tips and do not wash it off, trying to cure splitting tips. Regular using of hair conditioner is capable to prevent the emergence of splitting tips, but the conditioner is not able to cure them.
  
• Indelible conditioners that can be applied on dry hair are produced as sprays. You should not simply splash hair conditioner on your hair but distribute it with your hands along the hair in the direction from roots to tips, allegedly smoothing your locks. Another portion of the hair conditioner should be applied to your hair tips.
  

Algorithm of hair conditioning:

1. Wash your head with shampoo, then gently wring out your hair or blot it with towel and then apply the conditioner.
   
2. Air-conditioner is designed to moisturize the hair only, so do not apply it on hair roots, and of course do not rub it into head skin.
   
3. After applying the conditioner, do not forget to comb your hair and distribute it evenly on your hair.
   
4. For better work of hair conditioner, you should wash it off properly with cool water
   
   

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Source ; Dr.George nicefun.net

Arabian Secrets of Beautiful Hair.

Oriental women usually have healthy and shiny hair; it is an indispensable condition of their beauty, because hair always completes their image. So, why oriental enchantresses have luxurious heads of hair?

Traditionally in the countries of the Arab world and in India also women and girls have used dairy products, oils and water with plant extracts to take care of their hair; these popular recipes and formulations are the main secret of exceptional density, health and shine of their hair.


Oriental shampoos
For many centuries, Arabian beauties have been using dairy products instead of usual shampoos and soaps for hair washing; dairy products create a fatty layer which helps to protect hair from harmful effects of ardent sun and dry wind.

Today we can use usual kefir for these purposes. Pour kefir carefully on your head, massage it slightly, and then rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water. A solution of citric or acetic acid will make your hair shine; rinse your hair with this solution (dissolve 1 tablespoon of acid in 2 liters of water).

Shampoo for greasy hair: mix 1 egg yolk, 2 tablespoons of water, and half teaspoon of camphor oil in a ceramic dish. Apply this mixture is on your hair, distribute the mixture evenly, massage your hair slightly. Wash it away with warm water.

Shampoo for dry hair: mix 1 yolk with half teaspoon of vegetable oil (olive, coconut, almond one). This nutritious blend helps to restore your hair and gives it an amazing shine. Wash it off with cool water.


Magic mustard
Mix 1 tablespoon of mustard powder with 3 tablespoons of kefir, add 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of almond oil. Apply the resulting blend on your hair along all its length. Cover your head with a towel and leave it for of 30-40 minutes. Wash the mask away with warm water.

Mix 1 tablespoon of mustard powder, dissolve it in 2 liters of warm water. You should rinse your hair with this solution to remove greasy glance. In addition, your hair will not become dirty quickly if you use mustard rinsing.


Remedy for hair growth
In oriental harems beauties used to take advantage of sweet almond crushed kernels mixed with milk; it made their hair grow faster and thicker. To prepare this mixture, you will need a quarter cup of sweet almond kernels and warm milk. Pound almonds for pulp condition and dissolve them with milk to sour cream condition. Rub almond-milk paste in hair roots twice a week.

A ginger mask also promotes hair growth: mix 1 tablespoon of grated ginger (you can use ginger powder) with 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil or sesame oil. It is better to leave the mask on hair for all night covering your head with a towel.


Dried fruits
Dry fruit of figs is an excellent remedy to strengthen your hair. Grind 2 or 3 dried fruit of figs. Pour 1 cup of milk in a separate enameled cookware, put figs in the milk, mix them all carefully, close with a lid and put the mixture on fire.

Wait until the mixture boils, diminish the fire to a minimum and let the paste boil until becoming a homogeneous mass. Cool the paste off. Rub the part of it in hair roots and distribute the rest of it to all hair length. Leave it for 20-30 minutes, covering your head with a towel. Wash the mask away with warm water. Wash your head with one of oriental shampoos.

Raisin masks are able to help hair loss. To do this, take a handful of light raisins, put them into enameled glassware, and fill with 0.5 liters of boiling water. Close the glassware with a lid and boil for 10-15 minutes on low heat; let it stand for 2 hours. Then strain the broth into a separate dish.

Grade raisins to a pulp condition; add 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon of liquid honey, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 0.5 teaspoon of salt. Mix it all thoroughly. If the mixture is too thick, add a little amount of broth and stir the mass. Apply it on your hair and keep the mask for about an hour. Rinse your hair with water and then wash it with shampoo.


Oils
Coconut oil strengthens, nourishes the hair, and makes it shine. It makes dry and depleted hair being shine and luxuriant. In addition, applying of all vegetable oils is an excellent way for dyeing fixation and giving hair the radiant beauty after henna or basma dyeing (the traditional oriental dyes). Apply coconut oil on all hair length for 20-60 minutes. Wash your hair with an oriental shampoo.

Amla oil (Indian gooseberry) is a magical remedy for girls who want to improve significantly hair quality, thickness, and accelerate its growth. Put oil on your hair along its length for 20-60 minutes. Wash your hair with oriental shampoo.
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source : Dr.George nicefun.net

5 Facts You MUST Understand if You Are Ever Going to Lose Your Belly Fat & Get Six Pa

1. Many so-called "health foods" are actually cleverly disguised junk foods that actually stimulate you to gain more belly fat... yet the diet food marketing industry continues to lie to you so they can maximize their profits.
   
2. Ab exercises like crunches, sit-ups, and ab machines are the LEAST effective method of getting flat six pack abs. We'll explore what types of exercises REALLY work in a minute.
   
3. Boring repetitive cardio exercise routines are NOT the best way to lose body fat and uncover those six pack abs. I'll show you the exact types of unique workouts that produce 10x better results below.
   
4. You DON'T need to waste your money on expensive "extreme fat burner" pills (that don't work) or other bogus supplements. A special class of natural foods is much more effective. I'll tell you about these natural foods and their powers below.
   
5. Ab belts, ab-rockers, ab-loungers, and other infomercial ab-gimmicks... they're all a complete waste of your time and money. Despite the misleading infomercials, the perfectly chiseled fitness models in the commercials did NOT get their perfect body by using that "ab contraption"... they got their perfect body through REAL workouts and REAL nutrition strategies. Again, you'll learn some of their secrets and what really works below.
   
   

_________________

Dr.T

Source ; milis nicefun

Clay for Your Hair Beauty

Clay mask is a very effective remedy and, at the same time clay mask is the most sparing therapy. They absorb dirt, clean the hair and head skin, stimulate blood microcirculation, give volume to the hair, do not make it heavier, and also they have antiseptic properties.

Clay for masks is diluted with water to thick cream consistency and is applied on wet hair for 15 minutes. After this time you should massage your head slightly, and then wash the clay off your hair properly. You should apply clay masks twice a week to achieve the desired effect.

There is clay of different colors on offer; each of them has its own effect.

• The white clay is the most effective remedy when hair loss and fragility.
  
• If you have seborrhea you should use the green clay.
  
• Red clay unloads head skin irritations.
  
• Yellow clay helps you to fight with dandruff.
  
• Blue clay cleanses deeply, it oxygenates and protects your hair.
  

You can make masks from clay only, or mix clay with other useful substances for the hair. Today I offer you several masks of white and blue clay.

Mask with honey and mustard

Mash one teaspoon of blue clay with 1 teaspoon of butter, add 1 egg yolk and 1 teaspoon of liquid honey, lemon juice and mustard powder. Mix it all, rub it into the hair roots, and determine the residues along the length of your hair. Put a plastic bag on your head; cover it with wool shawl or towel. In an hour wash your head. This mask is able to breathe a life into the weakest hair.

Mask with garlic

Mix the juice of 2 garlic cloves with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of blue clay. Add some water and apply it on your hair. Cover your head with a towel, and wash the mask away with warm water and shampoo in 30 minutes. This mask is good for greasy hair. It normalizes the work of sebaceous glands, stimulates hair growth and makes it shine.

Mask with pepper

Grind one Bulgarian pepper of medium size, and then add 2 tablespoons of kefir, 1 tablespoon of white clay and mix it. Apply the mask on your hair; put a plastic bag on your head and a towel over it. Wash away the mask properly in 20-30 minutes. This mask is able to bring your dry and dull hair back into life.

Mask with sea-buckthorn

Mash 2 tablespoons of sea-buckthorn berries (they can be defrost), mix them with 2 tablespoons of milk, and pour with 2 tablespoons of white clay stirring it constantly. Put the derived homogeneous mass on your hair for 20 minutes. Wash the mask away with a shampoo you usually use. This mask is good for splitting hair.

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Dr.George

Banana Masks for Dry Hair

Bananas contain minerals and other nutrients that promote hair recovery and rehabilitation. Banana mask is perfectly suited for dry, dyed hair and for hair after the perm. Choose the perfect recipe and care about your hair with a pleasure.

• Mash one banana with a fork; add 2 teaspoons of honey and 2 teaspoons of wheat seedlings. Mix the ingredients to obtain a uniform mass. Apply at clean, damp hair and leave for 20 minutes. It is better to wear rubber hat and wrap up your head with a bath towel.
  
• Take 1 banana and make a banana pulp, add 2 tablespoons of oat flour and 1 tablespoon of burdock oil. Apply the derived mixture at your hair, wear plastic hat and wrap up your head with a bath towel for 30-40 minutes. Wash the mask off with shampoo.
  
• Mash one ripe banana with a fork, then add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Apply the mixture at damp hair from roots to tips. Massage your head skin. Wear rubber hat and wrap up your head with a bath towel. Leave it for 30 minutes. Wash your hair off with warm water before using shampoo and conditioner.
  
• Take 1 ripe banana, a half of a ripe mango, 2 tablespoons of yogurt or kefir, 2 teaspoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of liquid honey. Mix all ingredients carefully. Apply the mask at your hair avoiding the roots if you have oily hair, and covering the tips. Leave for 30 minutes, and then wash your hair properly.
  

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Dr.George

Simple Ways to Better Your Hair Look

Your hair's beauty, elasticity, softness and glitter depend not so much on your health as on the right way your take care of them. You can get your hair beautiful and healthy with the help of the simplest methods.

Cut your hair ends more often

The possibility to get your hair ends split is higher while using the hair drier regularly. The hair tips, if long hair especially, do not get required amount of their natural head skin grease thus they are dryer than the rest of hair and more friable. The best way to avoid this is preventing. Brush your hair the right way. Remember, the experts advice is to NOT to brush your hair while wet. It makes sense!

While wet hair brushed, it gets stretched too much, thus they get damaged easily. Dry hair should be brushed carefully with a single movement from roots toward tips. This way the natural hair bulb grease which protects and moistens your hair when spread evenly along the full hair length and reaches the tips where it's highly needed.

The other way to solve the matter is to cut a couple inches off. Impossible thing is trying to restore the hair split tips.

Make your hair shine

Hair loses its shine with the lapse of time. It happens because while ageing your skin produces fewer amounts of moisture holding ceramides, also productivity of sebaceous glands goes down. As a result your hair becomes dingy and dry. Hair perm and dyeing deepen above mentioned processes.

• Apply hair conditioners and balms while every wash. Ones a fortnight would be helpful to treat your hair more carefully with nourishing mask applied.
  
• Healthy glitter will come up when brush your hair with real bristle brush. Unlike plastic brushes the natural bristle is made of tiny scales which clean your hair of the dust and mud and make it shining.
  
• Select a suitable color. Add some brilliance and warmth dyeing or shading means. Your hair now will shiny the new way.
  
• Well, and to give the final touch spread a specially-purposed mean – spray or serum – to add some glitter. The most important is NOT to overdone it. Use a little bit of those and your hair will look shiny not greasy.
  

How to add some volume

Thin or heavy-haired women get often upset with the lack of hairdo volume. Apply mousses and sprays to add some volume. Usual hairspray will also work: spray a bit of it to the hair roots while hair rose slightly and let it get dry out. Comb your hair slightly.

_________________

Dr.George

Acne Tips

The following information can help you understand factors that may contribute to skin problems. An alteration or two in diet or lifestyle or treatment methods may significantly improve the health of the skin and body, which will help in the control of acne and related problems. This following information will assist in making educated decisions.

Stress: Stress has a strong relationship to acne and a profound impact. When under stress the body produces hormonal steroids, such as cortisol (a corticosteroid hormone frequently called hydrocortisone). Like other hormonal steroids (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, etc.) these chemicals target the skin in a disruptive manner and acne flare-ups may coincide with increased stress.

While it is easy to suggest the avoidance of stress, this is not likely to be accomplished. Begin recognizing stress levels and potentially stressful events or situations. During these times, cleanse very thoroughly, or cleanse three times a day rather than two.

Increase the use of some products from once daily, for example, to twice. Use the Green Tea Poultice more frequently. In short, step up the daily skin care regimen to offset the skin's response to stress. When the stressful situation passes, return to the normal daily skin care regimen.

Coffee: Research suggests that coffee (with or without caffeine) stimulates the production of cortisol (see the above section on stress) and acts just like stress. Coffee may be a promoter of acne and its consumption should be limited. Green tea or white tea are healthier beverage selections. When stress levels rise, it may be wise to reduce coffee consumption and achieve a reduction in cortisol levels which promote acne.

Diet: A good diet is an effective tool in controlling acne, especially fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, combined with adequate protein. A healthy and well-balanced diet affects the health and efficiency of the body and that includes the skin.

Every organ in your body relies upon the same vitamins, minerals and nutrients to function. Since the skin is at the end of the food line, it suffers greatly from an improperly balanced diet. Foods with high antioxidant content (colorful fruits and vegetables) are very helpful in promoting the healing of acne infections.

Wheat: People who have tried numerous prescriptive and non-prescriptive acne treatments without success will probably succeed with Skintactix products. If not, the problem may be wheat-induced acne, which makes any acne treatment unsuccessful. Skintactix products and diet modification successfully achieve control of wheat-induced acne in almost all cases. For more information on this subject please see the Acne & Wheat page.

Essential Fatty Acids: People who have tried numerous prescriptive and non-prescriptive acne treatments without success will probably succeed with Skintactix products. If not, and you have multiple whiteheads and/or blackheads, you may have a deficiency of linoleic acid (omega 6).

This condition makes acne treatment unsuccessful because of excessive follicular congestion. Skintactix products and diet modification successfully achieve control of linoleic deficiency-induced acne. For more information on this subject please see the Acne & Essential Fatty Acids page.

Milk: A smaller segment of the acne population may react to milk and/or dairy products. Milk contains hormones which can promote the potential for acne infections. Hormonally induced acne frequently follows the chin and jaw line. If milk is a factor in the promotion of acne, you have probably tried numerous prescriptive and non-prescriptive acne treatments without success.

You will probably be successful with Skintactix products because the products reduce the skin's volume of dihydrotestosterone and sebum. If control is still difficult to achieve, limiting daily intake can be helpful. For more information on this subject please see the Acne & Milk page.

Antibiotic Dangers: Taking an antibiotic may be an easy method of controlling acne, when it is successful, but there can be a huge downside. Science has known for years that frequent or extended use of antibiotics can damage the body's natural immune functions.

Research published in February 2004 by the University of Washington in conjunction with the National Cancer Institute was more specific. Of the 10,000 females studied, it was found that those who had used antibiotics approximately 500 days or more at any time over an 18 year period were twice as likely to contract breast cancer than females at large.

The association between antibiotics and cancer was dose related, revealing the higher the total dosage (or volume over time) the greater the risk. While this study involved females, the antibiotic and cancer linkage would seem to be equally as applicable to males as well.

Long-term use of antibiotics to control or maintain control of acne may involve risks that should be considered in making decisions about acne treatment. Skintactix has given particular attention to providing effective treatment with no dangers and no side effects.

Benzoyl Peroxide Cautions: Benzoyl peroxide (BP) generates free radicals in the skin. Its effect is similar to unprotected sun exposure. The redness of the skin (erythema), caused by sun exposure and BP, is the result of free radicals causing to the skin.

Repeated sun exposure or BP use generates free radicals that damage the skin's structure and cellular DNA, resulting in premature aging of the skin. The extent of the damage and aging from BP is determined by the concentration of BP, the frequency of application and the duration of its use.

Use of benzoyl peroxide to control acne may involve side effects and risks that should be considered in making decisions on acne treatment. Skintactix has given particular attention to providing effective treatment with no side effects and no benzoyl peroxide. For additional information on this subject please see the Benzoyl Peroxide Skin Damage page.

Premature Skin Aging: As you will learn from the Acne and Skin Damage section of this website, free radicals promote the aging of skin. Acne infections require huge volumes of chemical processes to control the infection and repair and replace all of the skin components that are damaged or destroyed in the process.

This generates volumes of free radicals that in general promote the speed of skin aging. People with moderate to severe facial acne tend to develop facial lines and wrinkles at an earlier stage than the population in general and may require an early skin anti-aging strategy.

The control of acne is the first step in slowing the aging process. People with moderate to severe acne who have treated their skin with benzoyl peroxide tend to present skin aging at an even faster rate. For additional information on this subject please see the Acne & Premature Skin Aging and the Free Radical Damage pages.

Smoking: A German study published in 2001 showed acne is 62% more prevalent in active smokers than in non-smokers. Additionally, a significant dose-dependent relationship was observed between acne severity and daily cigarette consumption.

Hormone Supplementation: The development of adult onset acne following the initiation of hormone supplementation or significant modification of an existing program may be caused by the dosage. Speak with a physician about this subject and modifying the dosage so it does not promote acne.

Sebum Production Cycle: The skin produces its greatest volume of sebum and oil at approximately 1 to 2 o'clock in the afternoon and its least volume in the middle of the night. Therefore a thorough skin care regimen performed in the late afternoon or early evening is pivotal to effective acne control. Cleanse thoroughly.

Heredity: Acne appears to have genetic linkage and people may get a better understanding of the possible extent of their condition by discussing this subject with their parents. Ask questions about the severity of their acne and the duration.

Menses: Like stress, there is a relationship to acne. The body increases its production of hormones, which indirectly stimulates the production of sebum and the subsequent chemical reactions that promote acne. Three to seven days before the cycle, step up the daily skin care regimen and return to the normal regimen at the end of the period. Use the Green Tea Poultice twice daily as per the instructions. If needed, consider reducing the consumption of milk and/or dairy products for the week just prior to the cycle.

Oral Contraceptives: In some instances oral contraceptives may reduce the severity of acne and in other cases they can trigger skin problems, including acne. If an oral contraceptive is contributing to acne, speak with the physician about "low-profestin" contraceptives or other options. Changing to low-profestin contraceptives has shown to reduce acne in some cases. An oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel may provide benefits for moderate acne.

Linens and Headgear: Washcloths, towels, pillowcases, hats, sweatbands, etc. collect bacteria and return it to the skin each time the item is used. Change washcloth, towels and pillowcases every two to three days while achieving control of acne. Make sure headgear is clean and/or avoid the use of unnecessary items.

Hairline or Forehead Acne: A pattern of acne that basically follows the hairline may be caused by sebum and free fatty acids that are generated in the scalp and migrate onto the forehead. The condition can be reduced or eliminated by shampooing more frequently and/or selecting a shampoo specifically developed for oily hair.

While hair may not be oily, this type of shampoo can reduce the sebum and fatty acids in the scalp. Glycolic Cleanser can be used as an oil reducing shampoo. Antibacterial Cleanser and Septicide Cleanser perform this function and kill P. acnes as well.

Sun Exposure: Rumors about unprotected sun exposure being beneficial in reducing skin oiliness and thereby reducing acne are ill-founded. Photons of sunlight produce free radicals within the skin, which promote acne and reduce the skin's ability to heal and repair. People with acne should avoid sun exposure and use an effective UVA/UVB sunscreen.

_________________

Dr.T

When your pedicurist is a fish

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia: Ready for the latest in spa pampering? Prepare to dunk your feet in a tank of water and let tiny carp nibble away.

Fish pedicures are creating something of a splash in the Washington D.C. area, where a northern Virginia spa has been offering them for the past four months. John Ho, who runs the Yvonne Hair and Nails salon with his wife, Yvonne Le, said 5,000 people have taken the plunge so far.

"This is a good treatment for everyone who likes to have nice feet," Ho said.

He said he wanted to come up with something unique while finding a replacement for pedicures that use razors to scrape off dead skin. The razors have fallen out of favor with state regulators because of concerns about whether they're sanitary.

Ho was skeptical at first about the fish, which are called garra rufa but typically known as doctor fish. They were first used in Turkey and have become popular in some Asian countries.

But Ho doubted they would thrive in the warm water needed for a comfortable footbath. And he didn't know if customers would like the idea.

"I know people were a little intimidated at first,"
Ho said. "But I just said, 'Let's give it a shot.' "

Customers were quickly hooked.
Tracy Roberts, 33, heard about it on a local radio show. She said it was "the best pedicure I ever had" and has spread the word to friends and co-workers.

"I'd been an athlete all my life, so I've always
had calluses on my feet. This was the first time somebody got rid of my calluses completely," she said. First time customer KaNin Reese, 32, described the tingling sensation created by the toothless fish: "It kind of feels like your foot's asleep," she said.

The fish don't do the job alone. After 15 to 30 minutes in the tank, customers get a standard pedicure, made easier by the soft skin the doctor fish leave behind.

Ho believes his is the only salon in the country to offer the treatment, which costs $35 for 15 minutes and $50 for 30 minutes. The spa has more than 1,000 fish, with about 100 in each individual pedicure tank at any given time.

Dennis Arnold, a podiatrist who four years ago established the International Pedicure Association, said he had never heard of the treatment and doubts it will become widespread. "I think most people would be afraid of it," he said.

Customer Patsy Fisher, 42, admitted she was nervous as she prepared for her first fish pedicure. But her apprehension dissolved into laughter after she put her feet in the tank and the fish swarmed to her toes. "It's a little ticklish, actually," she said.

Ho said the hot water in which the fish thrive doesn't support much plant or aquatic life, so they learned to feed on whatever food sources were available — including dead, flaking skin. They leave live skin alone because, without teeth, they can't bite it off.

In addition to offering pedicures, Ho hopes to establish a network of Doctor Fish Massage franchises and is evaluating a full-body fish treatment that, among other things, could treat psoriasis and other skin ailments.

Ho spent a year and about $40,000 getting the pedicures up and running, with a few hiccups along the way.

State regulations make no provision for regulating fish pedicures. But the county health department — which does regulate pools — required the salon to switch from a shallow, tiled communal pool that served as many as eight people to individual tanks in which the water is changed for each customer.

The communal pool also presented its own problem: At times the fish would flock to the feet of an individual with a surplus of dead skin, leaving others with a dearth of fish.

"It would sometimes be embarrassing for them but it was also really hilarious," Ho said.

http://www.yvonnesa lon.com/
http://www.iht. com/articles/ ap/2008/07/ 21/america/ NA-US-Fish- Pedicures. php?WT.mc_ id=glob_mrktg_ lead&WT.mc_ev= click

Hair Loss

Women and Hair Loss
Androgenetic alopecia, is the most common type of hair loss in women. Commonly, those with this condition will experience hair loss on the top and sides of the head. Affecting approximately one third of susceptible women, androgenetic alopecia results in noticeable thinning usually after menopause, when production of the female hormone estrogen slows down dramatically or stops altogether.

Causes of Hair Loss
Diet
Hair loss may also be due to dieting. Many diet programs, designed or administered under the direction of a physician with prescribed meals, dietary supplements and vitamin ingestion, have become popular.

Hormonal Changes
Many women may not realize that hair loss can occur after pregnany, or following discontinuation of birth control pills. Hair loss may be delayed by three months following the hormonal changes and may take another three months before new
growth is fully achieved.

Genetic Hair Loss
Female pattern hair loss results from a genetic predeposition causesd by an abnormal reaction to normal hormone levels, or a normal reaction to abnormally elevated hormone levels.

My Story by, Elle York, 17 Years Old Filed under alopecia totalis, hair loss,hair loss pictures, hair loss story, hair shedding, wigs, womens hair loss

My Story by, Elle, York, 17 Years OldJune 14th 2004. I bet I know what you're thinking. "That's when her hair started falling out" Right? Nope. That's when I had my ability to walk taken away from me. It was a normal day, and I was training for a big national competition in Australia with my horse.

I had been riding for 10 years before that day, and falling off was just another thing. No big deal. I had heard that you had a 2% chance of something going horribly wrong
if you fell off a horse, and I'd never come away with anything more then a couple of bruises and some sore muscles until that day.

I was now a paraplegic. Being faced with the fact that I would never walk again. Ever. That I would be completely dependant on a wheelchair for the rest of my life and have to learn all over again to do simple tasks like looking after myself. It was hard. Very hard. But not the hardest thing I've experienced.

Just before my 16th birthday, my hair began to fall out. Very slowly at first,just a few more stands then normal. But in the next week it became more and more noticeable. There would be hair on my pillow, in my sheets, stuck on my clothes,on the lounge, in the shower, absolutely everywhere.

Handfuls of hair would painlessly and effortlessly come out just running my fingers through my hair. I used to sit on the bottom of the shower in shock, as I watched my hair run loose with the stream of water and watch the water rise as the hair covered the drain.


I was petrified of brushing my hair. I wanted to keep the small amount of hair that I had left. I felt so ugly, so alone, like such a freak. I was a girl! A YOUNG girl. And here I was holding my hair in my hands crying and hoping to God that this was just a horrible, nasty dream.

But it wasn't. It was real, and after a while I decided it had to go. I was sick of the torment of showers and having to brush knots out of my hair and end up brushing out hundreds of strands, having it cover the entire house and having no control over it. So I decided to shave my remaining hair off to raise money for the Leukemia Foundation of Australia.

Posted by admin on Monday, September 17th, 2007
http://hair-maya.blogspot.com

Natural ways to take care of your feet.

Most of us take care of our face but the feet is the most ignored part of the body. In fact the legs bear the whole weight of the body. So we should include foot care in our daily routine. Here are some ways, we can take care of our feet naturally.

1.Soak feet in a large basin or bowl to which warm water and mineral salt is added for about 10 minutes.

• You can even place pebbles in the large bowl and roll your feet back and forth giving slight pressure as it gives a massaging effect.
  
• Scrub using pumice stone to remove dead skin.
  
• Wash your feet well, then pat it dry and massage with a moisturizing cream.
  
• You can even add juice of one lemon and a few neem leaves to the water as neem has antiseptic qualities.
  
• Rose petals can be added to the water.
  
• You can even add 2 drops of lavender essential oil to the water to have a spa effect at home.
  

2.Natural remedy for treating cracked feet:

• Wash your feet well and apply Vaseline or petroleum jelly at night and slip a pair of cotton socks and go to sleep. In a few weeks, your feet will become soft.
  
• Mix lime juice, castor oil, rose water and apply it after cleaning your feet.
  
• Olive oil can be applied regularly to have a soft feet.
  
• Neem paste mixed with turmeric powder can be used to treat cracked feet, though it is very messy.
  
• Lemon rind can be rubbed daily .Wash it off after 15 minutes.
  

3.Walking is best exercise for your legs.

• Go for brisk walk at least 5 days a week.
  

4.Another exercise for your feet:

• Hold your ankles with your hand and rotate clockwise and anticlockwise.
  
• Do this for both the legs.
  
• Also rotate each toes with your fingers.
  
• Bend the toes forward and backwards.
  
• Point your toes downwards as far as possible then flex them as high as possible.
  
• Do this for both the legs.
  
• Exercise will improve blood circulation to your feet.
  

5.Hot (bearable) and cold treatment also improves blood circulation.

• Soak feet in hot water first, and then in cold water. Do this for 5-10 minutes. End with cold water .
  

6.Avoid heels as far as possible.

7.Buy good fitting shoes which is comfortable for you.

8.Waxing your legs is a better option than shaving.

• But if you have to shave, use lot of moisturizer to avoid razor rashes.
  

9.Take a few minutes to massage your legs with coconut oil or olive oil everyday before bath.

10.Natural Homemade scrub for lovely legs:

• Squeeze juice of one fresh lemon and mix it with a little sugar and scrub gently.
  
• Wash it off with water.
  _________________
  

Source : Jiya

Hair irons causing 'massive damage' to women's tresses

Posted by: "newspaper.indonesia@gmail.com

Hair irons causing 'massive damage' to women's tresses

Straight hair may be desirable but dermatologists warn some women are overdoing it. File photo / Herald on Sunday

Sydney - Women love them and hairdressers swear by them, but dermatologists warn the obsession with hair straightening irons is ruining tresses everywhere. A meeting of international hair and skin specialists in Chicago has been told the trend towards daily use of hair-styling flat irons is causing "massive damage" to hair through strand burns and breaks.

Dermatologists warned the problem was with newer, ceramic-coated tongs that, ironically, were designed to protect hair by getting hotter and straightening faster than the traditional metal irons.
"It is really a classic case of buyer beware," one professor told the meeting.

"We're seeing that when these ceramic flat irons are used at the highest heat settings and on a daily basis to achieve straight hair they can really take a toll on the structure of the hair and cause very noticeable problems that can be hard to repair."

Sydney dermatologist Dr Phillip Artemi said the problem was becoming increasingly prevalent in Australia, with more women presenting at clinics with severe hair damage.

"If you look at the sales statistics you see that people are pursuing straighter hair with more vigour," Artemi said. "Most people on TV and in films have straight hair and it's a trend the public is trying to emulate.

"The problem starts when they do it wrong or too frequently and they cause a real mess that takes a long time to fix."

He said the tongs damage the outer part of the hair fibre, leading to a "dry, weathered look" with strands that split and snap off easily. Patients with major hair damage from tongs are told to keep their hair short for one to two years, stop use of tongs, hair dryers and heat products altogether and avoid sun exposure.

But to avoid damage in the first place, only use the equipment on dry hair, never more then twice a week and at temperatures under 170 degrees celsius, Artemi said.

"If you want to join the trend, fine, but do it with common sense or you could wind up with massive damage," he said.

- AAP
http://www.nzherald .co.nz/section/ 6/story.cfm? c_id=6&objectid= 10527905

13 Secrets to Sexy Hair

By Julyne Derrick


Don't you just love it when your stylist teaches you a trick that you just know you'll use for the rest of your life? Here we've compiled 13 secrets to sexy hair that we learned from years of talking to stylists and compiling style secrets from magazines. Enjoy!

• Secret #1: Yes, you can shampoo daily Shampoos these days are gentle enough to be used daily, it's the blowdryers, flatirons and curling irons that do the most damage. So if you have super oily hair, go ahead and shampoo daily. Just try to let hair airdry or go easy on the heat products.
  
  
• Secret #2: Dirty hair is easier to style Chances are you've heard the beauty secret that dirty hair is easier to style. Well it's true. Stylists prefer if you don't wash hair the morning of an updo. And don't be surprised if they sprinkle a bit of baby powder or dry shampoo on your hair. These help create the perfect texture for an updo.
  
  
• Secret #3: Get runway hair with Velcro rollers Runway stylists know the simplest, non-fussy way to get hair to roll properly is to curl it with a curling iron first. First, spritz dry hair with a styling spray (we like TRESemme Instant Heat Tamer Styling Spray), then use a medium curling iron to curl 2-inch sections of hair before rolling hair in Velcro rollers. The new curl simply takes best to the Velcro.
  
  
• Secret #4: Want Sexy, Messy, "Just Off the Beach" Waves? The secret is sea salt spray. We once dropped by one of Manhattan's hottest salons to check in on the new perming trend. We wanted carefree, loose waves and we were wondering if they did them there via the perming process.
  No can do, said the girl at the front desk, who just happened to have the hair we wanted. "Do you happen to perm your hair?" We asked, oh-so-delicately. She smiled and leaned to tell us a little secret. "Nope, I use sea salt. And I make it myself." You too can make a spray using a bottle, several tablespoons of sea salt and water. But if you want to buy it yourself, we recommend our favorite sea salt spray, Bumble and Bumble's Surf Spray.
  
  So skip the perm and first try spritzing sea salt on damp hair, scrunching hair and letting airdry. Since most hair has some sort of natural wave, the sea salt naturally enhances it.
  
  
• Secret #5: Don't bring out the brush too soon When blowdrying hair, separate tangles with fingers until hair is about 80 percent dry then try brushing. You want to make sure your fingers glide through hair effortlessly before introducing a brush to wet or even damp hair.
  
  
• Secret #6: Bangs are hot, just make sure you get the right bangs We love the look of thick, heavy bangs and side-swept bangs. Just avoid the thin, wispy, all-one-length bang -- it will make your face look "boxy" and dated. A very hot look right now are thick bangs paired with long, wavy layers. Sexy. Especially with perfect highlights. Not ready for the thick bangs? Try side-swept bangs paired with long layers. Layering hair with bangs works best because it's less boxy while allowing your hair to grow out without looking too extreme if you decide to grow out the trend.
  
  
• Secret #7: Yes, you can go blonde or red Some skin types work best with colors than others. Most olive-skinned women (think Jennifer Lopez or Linda Evangelista) can get away with any hair color: Blonde, black, brunette and even red. Women with pink tones have a harder time and can't get too drastic. But believe it or not, pink skin tones tend to work well with red hair color. As for going blonde, if you were fairly blonde-ish as a child in the summer, then you are a good candidate for going blonde as an adult. But olive-skinned girls with black or brown hair can look great blonde, too. Have a stylist help pick the right tone for you.
  
  
• Secret #8: Don't go long and blah You know the look -- hair that's gone just a little too long, has no style and is just plain, well, blah. We've all been there (I was there earlier today until I visited my stylist Antonio at Eva Scrivo Salon in NYC). What this hairstyle says to the world is "I am low-maintenance and can't be bothered with regular salon visits." This is fine if you aren't interested in making an impression on anybody and feeling fabulous. But it isn't sexy. Cut in some layers, add some bangs, get some highlights. Just get yourself to a salon, pronto.
  
  
• Secret #9: The secret to "piece-y" hair You know the look you're going for. That long, wavy hair where the waves seem to fall in pieces. Some stylists swear it's in the cut. It most definitely is -- but you also need the right product.
  To get the "piece-y" look, you want long layers -- hair that's just one length simply won't do. Your stylist will also want to lighten the thickness of hair by texturizing, this basically lightens the load and gives hair needed body. Texturizing also gives hair thickness at the roots, allowing it to fall in sexy, soft waves.
  Once you have the perfect cut, however, don't forget the product. A good pomade run through hair helps separate pieces. We like Kenra Platinum Texturizing Taffy Pomade. But almost every haircare brand will have a nice pomade.
  
  
• Secret #10: Buns are cool, just keep them loose Updos aren't just for prom, New Years and Lois Lane. A loose, casual updo is a quick way to look pulled together. Simply finger-comb hair into a low, disheveled bun or knot and attach with a ponytail holder and bobby pins. And please, leave the tight, ballerina 'do for the dancers. Check out these photos of loose buns.
  
  
• Secret #11: A temporary end to frayed ends Here's a stylist secret courtesy of the February, 2006, issue of Marie Claire: When suffering from the nasty frayed endsies, hairstylist Rodney Groves spreads Kerastase Serum Nutri-Sculpt (a leave-in treatment) through dry hair, then blasts ends with a blow dryer. We recommend you put this product on your list & keep it around for those moments before every hair cut when we need help (and fast!)
  
  
• Secret #12: Don't wait too long before color touch-ups If you get your color touched up on a regular basis (about every 28 days) you may actually keep your hair from unnecessary damage. Not waiting too long means your stylist won't have to dye your whole head due to color fading. In the meantime, cover up roots with a home hair-color kit. Although there are great root touch-up kits out there, a regular dye kit will do you. And don't worry about perfectly matching, it's likely not going to happen on a salon dye job & no one will notice. Swap out the brush that comes in the kit & instead use a clean mascara wand (you can get these at any drugstore).
  
  
• Secret #13: Shiny hair doesn't have to be genetic Stylist know the secret to sheen is to spritz or add a couple drops of shine serum. We like Bumble & Bumble's gloss. We also like Mop Glisten Shine Drops

10 Secrets to Styling Curly Hair

First of all, understand that if you were born with curly hair, 90 percent (if not more) women with straight hair have been jealous of your hair at some point. Women with limp, stick-straight hair spend hours of their lives with curling irons trying to mimic what comes naturally to you. How do I know this? I have straight hair. I own four curling irons.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, there are pros and cons to having curly hair. The pros include body and the fact you don't suffer from Oily Hair Syndrome and therefore have to wash your hair every day. The cons include frizz and Puffy Hair Syndrome, which tends to happen in high humidity and when the hairdresser gets too snip-happy. But there are secrets to living with curly hair and I've discovered every single one of them.

• Secret #1: Thou Shalt Not Fight Your Natural Curl on Humid Days
  If you're in a hot, humid climate, you might as well put away your flat iron. You might spend hours straightening your hair, only to step outside and ... POOF!
  So what to do in humid climes? Embrace the curl. We'll get more into that in a bit.
  
  
• Secret #2: If You Want to Go Straight, You Can
  One of the great benefits to curly hair is with a little bit of muscle or chemicals, you can go straight. Nicole Kidman has been sporting stick straight hair on the red carpet for years now, but the truth is, she has super curly hair.
  
  There are several types of professional hair straightening available, it's just a matter of finding one that fits into your budget and your hair texture. The solution used is much like a perm, only instead of curly hair, it straightens it.
  Even after a professional straightening, you'll likely need to iron hair. Invest in a great ionic flat iron -- it's much less time-consuming and a great iron won't fry your hair.
  
  
• Secret #3: No, You are Not Destined for a Life Full of Frizz
  As you likely well know by now, humidity can wreak havoc on curly hair. Curly hair tends to be dry and therefore vulnerable to humid air -- it simply wants to soak up moisture. This causes cuticles to expand, which causes frizz.
  The secret to keeping frizz at bay involves a few products: a leave-in conditioner, a deep conditioner and a styling product involving silicone. If you have curly hair, these should be staples in your bathroom cabinet. All either keep the hair moisturized or protects the cuticle from moisture.
  Preventing frizz is basically a four-step process: deep condition once a week. Apply a leave-in conditioner to ends after a shower. When styling hair, apply a serum that contains silicone (look for "dimethicone" on the bottle) to wet hair, coating every curl.
  
  
• Secret #4: There are Right Ways & Wrong Ways to Use a Blow Dryer
  The blow dryer can be a curly girl's nightmare if used improperly. To avoid poof, let hair airdry as long as possible, then blow dry hair with a diffuser. If you don't use a diffuser, aim the blow dryer nozzle downward, in the direction hair grows.
  How to use a diffuser: Hold the dryer under hair, squeezing curls in your palm as you dry hair.
  
  
• Secret #5: Throw Out That Brush & Invest in a Comb
  A comb is your best friend, a brush is not. Some women swear off even the comb, preferring finger-combing (I know of one woman who swears she's never, ever combed or brushed her hair).
  Combing hair is great, because it ensures you're coating locks with that silicone serum you have dutifully purchased.
  
  
• Secret #6: Curly Hair Looks Best Long-ish
  Remember when actress Kerri Russell cut off her famous long, curly locks and the public went ballistic? Turns out her long hair was beloved and she just didn't look so great with short hair.
  
  The problem with short hair on curly women is that short hair doesn't look good. That's all a matter of face shape. The fact is short hair tends to be poofy. Curls need length to weigh them down, so women with curly hair tend look best with hair that grows below the shoulders. When I say "below the shoulders" I mean when hair is dry.
  
  
• Secret #7: The Most Flattering Type of Haircuts
  Curly hair tends to look best with layers cut into it. Without layers, long curly hair tends to resemble a Christmas tree.
  
  I almost always advise women to seek out stylists who are experienced in cutting curly hair. This can be daunting, I know, because if you call a salon and ask for such a thing you'll likely be assured that all the stylists can cut curly hair. If you admire another curly woman's hair, get her stylist's number. It could be the most coveted seven digits in your cell phone.
  Extra tip: Stylists with curly probably know how to cut curly hair.
  
  
• Secret #8: Some Styles Look Better on You Than Anyone Else
  Personally, I think ballerina bands, which are utterly hot right now, look best on women with curly hair. There are some romantic updos that I covet and that look good only on naturally curly hair. After all, when one thinks "romantic updo," the image conjured up in the mind is not a sleek chignon. It is curly hair pulled back and up. Just be careful with the tendrils, which are too '80s.
  The half-up, half-down hairstyle is also very romantic and looks great on curly hair.
  
  Also headbands. Headbands look fabulous with curly hair, which leads me to ...
  
  
• Secret #9: Headbands are an Excellent Choice When You're Short on Time
  For curly-haired women short on time, a headband can be a lifesaver. If you pull hair back in a band while it's damp, it's a great way to "flatten" hair at the crown, leaving the curls at your hair's ends. Later you can pull off the hairband and you'll have gorgeous body.
  
  
• Secret #10: Loose Buns are Utterly Sexy
  Because you abide by secret #5, chances are you have long hair and long hair looks fabulous pulled back in a loose bun. To get this look, simply pull hair back, then twist at the nape of the neck into a bun. Secure with a rubber band. Loose and messy is good, tendrils are not.
  

Source: Jiya