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Your hair can either be a blessing or a curse. Most people want what they don't have, be it texture, colour or length. But follow these tips and you'll be able to make the most of what you've got!
1. This may sound obvious, but the first thing to do is get into a good routine with you hair. Find a product range that suits your hair and use it! Don't wash your hair daily if you can help it, it doesn't do a lot for the condition, especially if you're blowdrying it each time as well. Every 2 - 3 days is usually enough, and wash hair in the shower, not the bath! Shampoo your locks twice. The first time removes product build up and excess grease, the second cleanses the hair thoroughly. Most people will need to use a conditioner too, use a small amount on the lengths, concentrating on the ends. Don't overdo it, or you'll end up with greasy hair.
2. Don't overload products when styling. If you're lucky enough to be able to get a good look without using anything, you'll be better off. Otherwise, use one product that suits your style; a curl booster mousse, a straightening balm, a texture cream or a blow-dry protection spray. Apply it sparingly, dont' layer products or you'll end up wth sticky, greay hair - not a good look!
3. Get a re-style every now and again. A sassy new haircut will boost your confidence and keep you looking fresh and modern. If you've got one length hair, try a fringe or some layers. If you're mousy, try a few subtle highlights. If you've got short hair, spike it up or try some funky temporary colour. If you're curly, splash out on a blow-dry and see what you look like with straight hair. Don't get stuck in a style rut. Anything you do will always wash or grow out!
4. If your hair is coloured, take good care of it. Get your roots done regularly, nobody looks good with two-tone hair. Use shampoo and conditioner formulated for coloured hair to keep your colour bright, and use an intensive conditioning or hot oil treatment on your hair once a month to rehydrate it - colouring hair really dries it out and makes it more tangled and prone to frizz.
5. Switch product ranges every now and then. If you use the same shampoo and conditioner all the time your hair will begin to grow 'immune' to it and won't look so clean and shiny anymore. Try changing to another brand for a while, then switching back. Keep alternating like that and your hair will thank you!
6. Experiment with styles without actually cutting your hair. Grab a mate to help and try french braids, twisted updo's or even just a simple sleek ponytail. It's amazing what a difference it'll make if you always wear your hair down. Move your parting over to the side or try a zig-zag parting. Check out shops like Claire's Accessories for cheap and funky slides, barettes, bobbles and bands, and try some new looks while you're still young enough to get away with it!
7. Get your own style! Avoid the temptation to emulate a celebrity. So many people think getting a haircut like Jennifer Aniston's will automatically bring them a Brad Pitt lookalike boyfriend and it's not likely to be that easy. Be realistic. If you're a curly brunette, getting Gwyneth's haircut isn't going to be easy. If you have a square face and wide-set features, there's not point in asking for a Catherine Zeta Jones Chicago bob - it just won't suit you. By all means look to celebrities for inspiration but remember you're YOU, you don't have a personal stylist to do your hair every day, and you won't miraculously turn into Sarah Jessica Parker just because you've dyed your hair with Garnier Nutrisse!
8. Work with what nature gave you! So many people are eager to colour their hair the first opportunity they get, but remember your natural colour is what it is for a reason. Try to enhance, not change what god gave you. If you're mousy now but were blonde as a child, you can get away with blonde highlights, but if you hair has more red in it than blonde, you'll be better to try coppery lowlights, or face the prospect of looking washed out and fake. If you've got red hair you'll probably hate it, but look how many red hair colours there are on the market - so many people would kill for your colour, be proud of it! Brunette hair reflects the most light and shimmers with natural beauty. Think long and hard before ruining that with chemicals. Afro hair is porous and dry, it takes colour well, but it will take a LOT of looking after and intensive conditioning if you want to go a different colour. Get a consultation at a specialist salon before you colour and ALWAYS get it done by a professional the first time. If something goes wrong, hey're insured, you're not!
9. Got day-old locks that are looking a bit lank? If you've got fair hair, sprinkle a little talcum powder into your parting and rub it it, it'll soak up the grease and act as a dry shampoo. Darker haired girls can avoid the dandruff look by getting some brunette dry shampoo from bumble and bumble - it has a brown pigment in it. Dry shampoo isn't an alternative to washing your hair the regular way, but it's a great quick fix if you've no time to jump in the shower.
10. Keep your hair in good condition by getting regular trims. I know you'll have heard this a thousand times before, but it really does matter and makes all the difference. Even if you're growing your hair, regular trims are a must to get rid of split ends. After all, what's the point of having long hair if it's messy, tangled and full of split ends? Don't make the mistake of growing your hair out first and THEN getting it cut either. You'll have left it so long by then that you'll lose twice as much length as you would have done with regular trims!
1. This may sound obvious, but the first thing to do is get into a good routine with you hair. Find a product range that suits your hair and use it! Don't wash your hair daily if you can help it, it doesn't do a lot for the condition, especially if you're blowdrying it each time as well. Every 2 - 3 days is usually enough, and wash hair in the shower, not the bath! Shampoo your locks twice. The first time removes product build up and excess grease, the second cleanses the hair thoroughly. Most people will need to use a conditioner too, use a small amount on the lengths, concentrating on the ends. Don't overdo it, or you'll end up with greasy hair.
2. Don't overload products when styling. If you're lucky enough to be able to get a good look without using anything, you'll be better off. Otherwise, use one product that suits your style; a curl booster mousse, a straightening balm, a texture cream or a blow-dry protection spray. Apply it sparingly, dont' layer products or you'll end up wth sticky, greay hair - not a good look!
3. Get a re-style every now and again. A sassy new haircut will boost your confidence and keep you looking fresh and modern. If you've got one length hair, try a fringe or some layers. If you're mousy, try a few subtle highlights. If you've got short hair, spike it up or try some funky temporary colour. If you're curly, splash out on a blow-dry and see what you look like with straight hair. Don't get stuck in a style rut. Anything you do will always wash or grow out!
4. If your hair is coloured, take good care of it. Get your roots done regularly, nobody looks good with two-tone hair. Use shampoo and conditioner formulated for coloured hair to keep your colour bright, and use an intensive conditioning or hot oil treatment on your hair once a month to rehydrate it - colouring hair really dries it out and makes it more tangled and prone to frizz.
5. Switch product ranges every now and then. If you use the same shampoo and conditioner all the time your hair will begin to grow 'immune' to it and won't look so clean and shiny anymore. Try changing to another brand for a while, then switching back. Keep alternating like that and your hair will thank you!
6. Experiment with styles without actually cutting your hair. Grab a mate to help and try french braids, twisted updo's or even just a simple sleek ponytail. It's amazing what a difference it'll make if you always wear your hair down. Move your parting over to the side or try a zig-zag parting. Check out shops like Claire's Accessories for cheap and funky slides, barettes, bobbles and bands, and try some new looks while you're still young enough to get away with it!
7. Get your own style! Avoid the temptation to emulate a celebrity. So many people think getting a haircut like Jennifer Aniston's will automatically bring them a Brad Pitt lookalike boyfriend and it's not likely to be that easy. Be realistic. If you're a curly brunette, getting Gwyneth's haircut isn't going to be easy. If you have a square face and wide-set features, there's not point in asking for a Catherine Zeta Jones Chicago bob - it just won't suit you. By all means look to celebrities for inspiration but remember you're YOU, you don't have a personal stylist to do your hair every day, and you won't miraculously turn into Sarah Jessica Parker just because you've dyed your hair with Garnier Nutrisse!
8. Work with what nature gave you! So many people are eager to colour their hair the first opportunity they get, but remember your natural colour is what it is for a reason. Try to enhance, not change what god gave you. If you're mousy now but were blonde as a child, you can get away with blonde highlights, but if you hair has more red in it than blonde, you'll be better to try coppery lowlights, or face the prospect of looking washed out and fake. If you've got red hair you'll probably hate it, but look how many red hair colours there are on the market - so many people would kill for your colour, be proud of it! Brunette hair reflects the most light and shimmers with natural beauty. Think long and hard before ruining that with chemicals. Afro hair is porous and dry, it takes colour well, but it will take a LOT of looking after and intensive conditioning if you want to go a different colour. Get a consultation at a specialist salon before you colour and ALWAYS get it done by a professional the first time. If something goes wrong, hey're insured, you're not!
9. Got day-old locks that are looking a bit lank? If you've got fair hair, sprinkle a little talcum powder into your parting and rub it it, it'll soak up the grease and act as a dry shampoo. Darker haired girls can avoid the dandruff look by getting some brunette dry shampoo from bumble and bumble - it has a brown pigment in it. Dry shampoo isn't an alternative to washing your hair the regular way, but it's a great quick fix if you've no time to jump in the shower.
10. Keep your hair in good condition by getting regular trims. I know you'll have heard this a thousand times before, but it really does matter and makes all the difference. Even if you're growing your hair, regular trims are a must to get rid of split ends. After all, what's the point of having long hair if it's messy, tangled and full of split ends? Don't make the mistake of growing your hair out first and THEN getting it cut either. You'll have left it so long by then that you'll lose twice as much length as you would have done with regular trims!
