Monday, November 29, 2010

CRAZY HAIR COLOR IDEAS FOR MEN

When you're bored of your natural hair color, you can always try a new one! It is a common understanding that coloring hair is not very healthy for it, which is true if you do it regularly, with high ammonia hair colors. Men however have a different texture of hair, which is strong, rough and can tolerate ammonia on a higher level. This does not mean that you can color your hair very often because that way even they can become weak and turn brittle. Hair coloring should be done once in six months and that too with a color that has very low ammonia content. When you have a natural hair color like black, dark brown, light brown, blond or sometimes even gray, it's always nice to get a change. A new hair color makes a very big difference in the way you look, and thus trying something completely opposite may or may not be a great choice.

Crazy Hair Color Ideas for Men

When you think of changing your natural hair color to something else, you almost lose that color for the next one year. So, make sure you want to get a color change, because there are many examples of hair blunders which occur due to choosing the wrong color. You also have to make sure, the color suits your skin tone and whether you want to get streaks, hair highlights or some other hairstyles. Men usually don't have hair as long as women, and it is also known, that the time taken for their hair growth is lesser than women (hence, blunders could be safe). In the hair color ideas for men, you can opt for single toned, two toned and multi toned hair highlights or simple colors to make you look very attractive.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

COLOR FOR OLIVE SKIN TONE

Hair color ideas for olive skin include brown, black and darker blond shades which really complement people with olive skin tone. The other factor which should be considered while choosing the hair color is the eye color. People with dark brown eyes and olive skin should go for shades like ash brown, coffee or blue black. Shades like golden brown or dark strawberry look charming on hazel or green eyes. If you want a bolder look, you can go for red or violet. However, dark red will suit people with olive skin tone rather than the other shades of red.

Highlights
Dark blond hair color with dark brown highlights is one of the best hair color ideas for olive skin. People with olive skin tone should avoid coloring their entire hair in blond color. Brown hair color with blond highlights also goes well with olive skin. People with warmer olive undertones should opt for cooler shades of hair color highlights and the ones with cooler undertones should go for warmer or darker shades of highlights.

Non Complementing Colors
One of the most important hair color ideas for olive skin tells you about the hair color shades you should avoid. Olive skin tones with lighter shades is not a good combination. People with olive skin tones should avoid coloring their hair with shades that are three times lighter than their skin color. Olive skin color and platinum bond is a strict no no. People with cooler undertones can opt for golden shades which look paler.

Friday, November 26, 2010

How curls are created

Hair is primarily composed of keratin, a protein, which grows from the follicle. Keratins, and other proteins, are formulated in the cells of the hair follicle. All of the proteins become a part of the hair shaft and contain sulfur atoms. When two sulfur atoms pair up and bond, they form a disulfide bond. If the two sulfur atoms in the same protein are at a distance, and join to form the disulfide bond, the protein will bend. This is how your curls are created.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Benefits of Adding Layers

Types of Layered Hair Styles

Many different hair styles can incorporate layers, from bobs to bangs to teen dos. Even today's trendy looks such as sedu hair styles can incorporate layers for flair and individuality.
Not every type of hair can use layers, however. Very curly hair does not layer well, because the curls tend to tighten and disrupt the layered look, creating a scruffy appearance. Similarly, individuals who like to change their styles frequently may not want to attempt layers, because it can take years to grow out them out. The key to fabulous layered hair styles is to choose the proper types of layers and use them to their full benefit to create a stunning look.

Layer Length

Layers can be cut in many different lengths. Some styles use a large number of layers cut closely together to create an overall fringe, while other styles may only have a few different lengths positioned for the best effect. The best range for layers is to keep them below the earlobe on long hair, and below the eye on short hair, otherwise they may look out of control. Another tactic that many layered looks use is to have the very top layer full length, while layers underneath add volume and bounce to the style without sacrificing the sleek, sophisticated look. Layers may be straight, angled, or curved to fit any style preferences.

Benefits of Adding Layers

Layered hair styles have many benefits. Adding layers can modernize an old style without too drastic of a change, and layers can be both flirty and elegant, making them appropriate for any age. Other benefits to adding layers include:
  • Different layers create natural volume to hair without needing excessive chemicals.
  • Layers can help heavily damaged hair by cutting off split or broken ends for a more planned look.
  • Layers can be cut to balance any face shape.
  • Creating layers can lighten very thick, heavy hair, allowing its natural waves to appear in medium and long styles.
  • Individuals who suffer from migraines may find some relief with lighter layered styles.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

HAIR FOLLICLE

A hair follicle is a part of the skin that grows hair by cramping old cells tightly. Attached to the follicle is a sebaceous gland, a tiny sebum-producing gland found everywhere except on the palms, lips and soles of the feet. The thicker the density of the hair, the more the number of sebaceous glands that are found.
Also attached to the follicle is a tiny bundle of muscle fiber called the arrector pili that is responsible for causing the follicle lissis to become more perpendicular to the surface of the skin, and causing the follicle to protrude slightly above the surrounding skin (piloerection) and a pore encased with skin oil. This process results in goose bumps (or goose flesh). Stem cells are located at the junction of the erector and the follicle, and are principally responsible for the ongoing hair production during a process known as the Anagen stage.

Monday, November 22, 2010

CHEMISTRY OF SHAMPOOS

Chemistry of shampoos

 

People expect a lot from shampoos. Unfortunately, it is not easy to tell a good shampoo from a poor one. Cost, fragrance, and lots of foam is what most people look for in shampoo products. Lather and foam is of little importance , but they often get the most attention.

Foaming occurs when surfactant molecules gather around air instead of oil. The result is millions of tiny bubbles. Obviously, the air bubbles are using the surfactants that should be removing dirt and oil. We have all seen shampoo advertisements showing happy, beautiful people taking showers with their heads heaped high with mounds of lather. These images have taught the public to associate lather with cleansing ability.

The truth is, lots of foamy lather only means too much shampoo was used. Excess foam equals waste. Sebum and other oils quickly destroy foam. Ideally, the head should have just enough lather to lubricate the scalp and hair. This will help your fingers massage the shampoo more effectively into the hair.

Fragrances and foaming qualities are not good ways to evaluate shampoos. Examine the hair's condition after several uses. Is it flyaway, is it hard to comb, does it seem limp, do colors fade, is the hair dry or the scalp itchy?

Carefully choose the shampoo to use and recommend. The quality of your services and the success of your repeat business may depend on the decision of product choice

 

The major types of surfactants are:

Anionic (an-eye-ON-ick)

Cationic (kat-eye-ON-ick)

Nonionic (non-eye-ON-ick)

Amphoteric (am-fo-TERR-ick)

Identification and names are important in all professions but for chemists, they are especially useful. Chemists try to choose names that provide information about the chemical. For example, anionic and cationic surfactants both end with "ionic" for a reason. These surfactants are a special type of chemical called an ion. Salt bonds are important type of chemical bonds in the hair. Salt bonds give hair many important properties and affect most chemical treatments. Although the term salt bond is used frequently in cosmetology, it is incorrect. These chemical bonds are actually called ionic bonds, and they occur between ions. Ions and ionic bonds are really quite simple to understand. Ions are molecules that have small electrical charges. These charges are positive or negative. They repel or attract each other. Opposite charges attract and similar charges repel.

Table salt, sodium chloride, is an excellent example. Sodium forms positive ions and chlorine makes negative ions. The opposite charges attract each other and make table salt. These charges are identical to those found in batteries or static electricity, but on a much smaller scale. Individual ionic bonds are very weak, but millions of them in combination are quite strong. Surfactants with a negative charge are called anionic. A surfactant with a positive charge is cationic.

 

Anionic Surfactants (Negatively charged ion) Anionic surfactants are the most widely used detergents in the cosmetology profession. They are inexpensive, simple to prepare, and excellent cleaners. They also rinse easily from the hair. A major disadvantage is that they can be harsh and irritating to the scalp Frequently, other surfactants and ingredients are added to reduce skin irritation.

 

Cationic Surfactants (Positively charged ion) Cationic surfactants are rarely used in high concentrations in the cosmetology profession. Many types are dangerous to the eyes but are safe and useful in low amounts. Until recently, their positive charges prevented them from being mixed with negatively charged anionic surfactants. Newer types, however, eliminate this incompatibility.

 

Look at the label!!! Here is a guide to how gentle your shampoo is according to the surfactant used:

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate - very, very, harsh

Ammonium Laureth Sulfate- very harsh but better than the above

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate- better than the above, but still a little harsh

Sodium Laureth Sulfate-gentle, great pick!

TEA lauryl Sulfate-good pick

TEA Laureth Sulfate-good pick

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Preventing Damage Hair

Preventing Damage
Damage to the hair is usually caused by heat (irons, blow drying, curlers, heat lamps, etc.), U.V. rays (Sun, lights, tanning beds), mechanical devices (combs, brushes, curling irons, etc.), chemicals (color, perms, relaxers, pool chemicals, the air, etc), or poor diet (specifically -lack of proteins and essential fatty acids).
Here are some ways to prevent or "help" prevent damage to your hair:
1) Use a thermal protector when using heat. See "thermal protectors" under conditioners
2) Do not blow dry the hair completely dry. Leave a little moisture in.
3) Use a conditioner with U.V. protectors built in.
4) Use a low or no ammonia hair color.
5) Air oxidize perms instead of using the neutralizer.
6) Never brush wet or damp hair. Use a wide toothed comb.
7) On dry hair use a boars hair brush and start at the ends and work up.
8) Clarify your hair after you swim.
9) Blow dry on the "cool" setting.
10) Eat protein rich foods (chicken, fish, nuts) - Eat foods rich in essential fatty acids (not from animal sources [they contain cholesterol]-only from botanical sources) -

Thursday, November 18, 2010

COLORING RED HAIR WITH BLONDE HIGHLIGHTS

While tinting red hair with blonde highlights, the size, number and location of the highlights are the keys to achieving the look you desire. If you want your highlights to blend with the rest of your hair, you should get slim highlights on the crown of your head. However, if you want noticeable highlights, you can get large blocks of hair colored blonde. If you want to spice up a simple shoulder-level bob, you can add highlights in a way that your hair transitions from red to blonde in places. If you have layered hair, a slightly unusual option is to have blonde highlights at the back. If you have long red hair in shades of mahogany, copper, auburn, etc. a look you can experiment with is blonde lowlights, which is also very trendy.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

WARM DARK HAIR COLORS

Warm Dark Hair Colors The people who belong to warm category are those who have warm skin tone and warm eye color. If you have brown skin tone with pink or golden undertones, freckled complexion, pale complexion with peach or golden undertones, or ruddy complexion, then you have warm skin tone. The eye color can be hazel eyes with brown or golden flecks, golden brown eyes, greenish blue eyes, or green eyes. If you don't have these eye or skin colors, then you belong to the cool category, so refer to the section under 'cool category' to know about dark hair coloring ideas.

Base Hair Color Options
  • Golden brown
  • Dark brunette
  • Auburn red
  • Dark auburn
  • Chestnut brown
Warm Dark Hair Colors Highlights
  • Dark hair with blonde highlights of shiny blonde looks great on warm hair colors.
  • Reddish orange highlights suit well.
  • You can also get copper streaks on dark brown hair colors.
  • If you are looking for dark hair colors for fair skin, then go with a base of dark brown hair color, and streaks of honey blonde.
Warm Dark Hair Colors with Lowlights
When it comes to getting lowlights hair coloring ideas for dark hair, select a shade which is 2-3 shades darker than your base hair color. If you wish to go for lowlights then use these ideas.
  • Base hair color of medium auburn, and dark auburn lowlights.
  • Base hair color of medium brown, and dark brown
  • On medium blonde hair color, lowlights of deep brown hair color.

Monday, November 15, 2010

HOW 2 CHOOSE THE BEST OVER THE COUNTER HAIR COLOR

How to Choose the Best Over the Counter Hair Color
Choosing a hair color is not only fun when it comes to best over the counter hair color as you have to keep certain things in mind. Before you select any color and experiment with various hair color ideas, it is important that you know why you want to color your hair. Is it that you want to hide gray hair or you just want to experiment with your looks. The purpose of analyzing your reason is that there are hair colors which can answer your problems aptly. For example, there are many best over the counter hair colors to cover gray but they cannot be used by people who want to experiment with their look. The ingredients of the hair color differ as per each purpose they are meant for, so you must go for best hair color product that justifies your reason.

You also have to decide weather you want to go for permanent or temporary hair coloring. Permanent hair color contains more chemicals that help the color last longer, whereas temporary hair color contains less chemicals and withers away in few weeks or so. There is another type of hair color known as stains, which washes off with every shampoo allowing you to enjoy lighter shade as the colors fade away. Apart from this, you also must decide if you want to color chunks, strands, or the entire hair. If you wish to color the entire hair you may have to go for hair colors that rebound the hair properly. For this you also have to consult your stylist because once your hair color is changed you cannot do anything until it goes off completely. And lastly, you must choose from the shades of hair color that would suit you most appropriately. So, it is essential that you get the right and best over the counter hair color so that your hair is not damaged and you get the most perfect look.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Reddish Shades

Reddish ShadesA majority of black women prefer red hair color shades due to their flattering appearance. There are many options which you can choose from such as bright, vibrant red shades that are close to the primary red color. These red shades really look good on medium, light, or medium brown complexion. To dye originally black or deep brown hair, the procedure to get a red tone is not as harsh as it is to get a blonde color. Brown colored hair can generally be dyed in just one single process, whereas black hair might be required to be lifted of color, prior to depositing the red dye. When it comes to hair color ideas for dark skin, various copper shades would also create a warm look

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Doing Chuncky Highlights

Another way is to try the chunky hair highlights. Pick a shade for the top half of your hair. The natural hair shade will be the color at the bottom half of the hair. Use foils and create thick chunks of streaking color, along the top of your head. Color the specific hair strands, by separating them using foils. You can even color the areas outside the foil, using a secondary color. This will give you a customized two toned look.

This visually appealing hair coloring style, looks decent and adds the extra zing to your persona. You can choose contrasting natural shades to double tones. Two tone hair color creates a look of attitude, without compromising on the girl-next-door image. So go ahead and set the town on fire, with your two tone hair color!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

TWO TONED HAIR COLOR STYLES

Two Toned Hair Color Styles

There are basically three styles of two toned hair color:

Top and Bottom layers: The top and bottom are fully colored using a different color shade. This is the most preferred type of coloring among all the hair coloring styles. The lighter tone is usually used on the top and the lower layers are colored using the darker shades of a contrasting color.

Chunks: You can add a second color to go along with your natural hair color. You can create a colorful look by adding chunks, either in the bangs or along the cheeks.

Cored Tips: This funky style looks well with short haircuts. You can add about half an inch of color on the tips of your hair to create a lively two tones hair color effect.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The Anagen Phase

Anagen phase

Anagen is the active growth phase of hair follicles.The cells in the root of the hair are dividing rapidly, adding to the hair shaft. During this phase the hair grows about 1 cm every 28 days. Scalp hair stays in this active phase of growth for 2–7 years. The amount of time the hair follicle stays in the anagen phase is genetically determined. At the end of the anagen phase an unknown signal causes the follicle to go into the catagen phase.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

MATRIX - Around the papilla

Matrix
Around the papilla is the hair matrix, a collection of epithelial cells often interspersed with the pigment producing cells, melanocytes. Cell division in the hair matrix is responsible for the cells that will form the major structures of the hair fiber and the inner root sheath. The hair matrix epithelium is one of the fastest growing cell populations in the human body, which is why some forms of chemotherapy that kill dividing cells or radiotherapy may lead to temporary hair loss. The papilla is usually ovoid or pear shaped with the matrix wrapped completely around it except for a short stalk-like connection to the surrounding connective tissue that provides access for the capillary.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Part 2 of choosing the correct hair color

Cool Category
People who belong to the cool category can have eye color blackish brown, dark brown, grayish blue, dark blue or hazel colored with light flecks. The skin tone can be bronze or brown complexion after tanning, pale complexion with pink undertones or no color, olive complexion, medium complexion with golden undertones, medium complexion with light pink color in the cheeks or no color or dark brown complexion. Such people should go with shiny raven black hair base. Cool blonde shades like mink or icy white also look great. The hair highlights can be of honey, wheat or ash color. Such people can also go with purple or burgundy shades. People who belong to the cool category should avoid blonde, yellow, red or bronze shades.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

choosing the correct hair color

Warm Category

People who belong to the warm category can have their eye color golden brown, greenish blue, green, hazel eyes with brown or golden flecks. The skin tone can be freckled complexion, pale complexion with golden or peach undertones, ruddy complexion or brown skin tone with golden or pink undertones. Such people should opt for warm and dark shades of brown. Shades like golden brown and chestnut brown can also look great. Base colors or hair dye of reddish orange or shiny blonde also look great on the warm category people. Best option of highlights are copper streaks, golden brown or golden shades. People belonging to the warm category should avoid blue, purple, ash or beige shades belonging to blonde hair color wheel.

The Cystine Bond

The Cystine Bond

The cystine bond also known as the disulfide bond, sulfur bond, or just S bond is formed by cross-links between cystine residues (amino acids) of the main polypeptide chains. This bond is perpendicular to the axis of the hair and between the polypeptide chains. Because of its position in the hair, it is responsible for the hair's toughness or abrasion resistance. (It actually holds the hair fibers together.) These cross-links are frequent in the hair fiber, with maximum of frequency of one cystine bond every four turns of the alpha helix. This is what enables us to permanent wave the hair.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

THE SALT BOND

The Salt Bond

 

The salt bond is also an ionic (electrolytically controlled) bond formed by the electron transfer from the side chain of a basic amino group (an amino acid with an 00C- group) to the side chain of an acidic amino acid, i.e. NH3+. (This is two positive and negative charges attracting one another.) This occurs in a position paralleled to the axis line of the rotation of the helix of the hair. The salt bond is responsible for approximately 35% of the strength of the hair and 50% of the hair's elasticity.

Monday, November 1, 2010

The Hydrogen Bond

The Hydrogen Bond
The first bond we will discuss is the hydrogen bond. This bond is located between the coils of the alpha helix and is responsible for the ability of the hair to be stretched elasticity) and return back to its original shape. The hydrogen bonds allow us to change the shape of the hair temporarily with the aid of water. These bonds are electrolytically controlled and are the most readily broken down and the most readily reformed. These bonds are responsible for approximately 35% of the strength of the hair and 50% of the hair's elasticity (some would argue up to 99.9% of the hair’s elasticity).