If you’re looking for new ways to take care of your hair, one of the things that you can try is organic hair care products. Though there are currently thousands of different products that you can choose from, let’s face it, most of the popular hair care lines contain more chemicals than what you actually need.

The only guaranteed way that you can get your hair back into shape is by using hair products that are guaranteed to be safe for you, especially if you have sensitive skin. The great thing about organic hair care products is that, since it makes use of all natural ingredients, you not only get to save your hair, but the environment as well. Having problems with finding this special line of hair products in your area? No worries, here are just two recipes that you can concoct yourself.

Shampoo recipe

To make your own shampoo that will not only cleanse, but also add some sheen to your hair, you’ll need 6 organic chamomile tea bags, tsp of pure lavender oil and a half cup of plain yogurt. Steep the tea bags in boiling hot water for 15 minutes throw away the tea bags then combine the tea solution with the yogurt and lavender oil. Once the solution is prepared, apply it to dry hair, making sure that you work with thoroughly through the ends. Leave on for 10 minutes then rinse off.

Hairspray recipe

If you want to make your own natural hairspray, you’ll need an orange and a lemon. Cut up the fruit into small pieces so that the juices come out. Boil the fruit in 2 cups of water until the solution is reduced. After boiling set aside to cool and strain the solution. Place the juice into a spray bottle and voila! You’re very own hair spray. Store in your refrigerator and make sure that you use all organic products that you make within 5 days as it may only spoil after that time period.

Here’s a list of the best organic hair products that work at Hot Beauty Health, your source for healthy and beauty tips!

There are a wide range of Natural Oils which can be used for Black Hair Care, ranging from the more well known coconut, avocado and olive to the more unusual and less heard of sapote, moringa and manketti oils.  They each have their own unique properties and are very versatile in the way in which they can be used.

Here are some ideas for using natural oils as part of your hair care routine:

Pre Shampoo – oil the hair prior to shampooing, this helps to counteract the hair and scalp being stripped of its oils during the shampoo process and will also help to soften the feel of the hair.  The oil can be applied at room temperature or warmed as a hot oil treatment

Scalp Oil – this is particularly useful for those who have dry, itchy or inflamed conditions, simply apply a small amount of your oil(s) to the scalp and massage in gently

Herbal Oils – this process involves infusing herbs into your chosen oils, then applying the finished product to your hair and scalp.  Herbs can be selected depending on your desired outcome, for example to encourage hair growth or improve strength

Lock in Moisture – applying a light layer of oil will seal the moisture (use a moisturising product first) in your hair, something which people with black hair often need to do on a regular basis

An addition – to your shampoo’s, deep conditioners, hair treatment masks, henna or indigo colour treatments – adding a little oil will help to improve the slip of your product and will counteract the effects of other ingredients which may be drying to the hair such as henna or sulphate based shampoos.

To help you decide which oils to use, you may wish to consider the following:

a) Thickness and absorptive capacity of the oil.  Some are lighter and more easily absorbed like camellia oil and others like castor are thicker and more likely to just sit on the hair shaft or scalp.

b) The properties and benefits of the oil – choose those which are most suitable to your hair’s needs

c) The price, some oils are more economical than others

The purest and most nutrient rich oils are those which are cold pressed, unrefined and organic, although the refined versions still have their place in healthy hair care.

Here are the properties of some natural oils:

Avocado – rich in vitamins A, B and D, excellent for dry, dull hair, this oil like coconut and olive is highly absorptive and can actually penetrate the hair shaft.

Castor – protects the hair and scalp from the external environment, is said to improve thickness and growth, is a thick and slow to absorb oilso best when blended with other oils. 

Coconut – a wonder oil, beneficial to the scalp, soothes irritations and minor scalp disorders, is able to penetrate the hair shaftand is also antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral.  Please note, coconut oil does not contain high levels of protein and yet many people who have used it believe this to be the case. 

Camellia – exceptionally high in Alec acid and vitamin E, helps to smooth and add shine the hair cuticle so useful for frizzes and dull hair, a very light and easily absorbed oil.

Safflower- rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, beneficial for dry and itchy scalps, a light and easily absorbed oil.

Grapeseed – a very light, easily absorbed oil, rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, slightly astringent and therefore toning to the scalp. 

Macadamia Nut – protects the hair from external pollutants, is rich and yet easily absorbed, useful for very dry and damaged hair, similar in structure to the natural sebum (oil) of the scalp and therefore a good scalp oil.

Zoe Penny, Natural Hair and Beauty Product Designer & Retailer
Natural Ingredients and E Book Guides for DIY Hair and Beauty Product Creators

http://www.reviveholisticbeauty.com

The winter is here and in full effect in Michigan; which means a change of wardrobe, driving conditions and should mean a change in your hair care regimen. If you were lax in your hair care during the warmer months, you may have survived with minor damage, but if you do not take some serious precautions during the colder months, come Spring, you will definitely regret it. Because the winter months can wreak havoc on your hair, it’s very important to choose low maintenance styles so that you do not have to comb or brush often. It’s also a great idea to incorporate a routine that causes very little stress on your hair such as letting the hair air dry instead of blow drying it; finger combing the hair instead of using an actual comb; or if you do use a comb, use a wide tooth comb. Also, chose good moisturizing hair care products that do not contain mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, SLS or SLES, as all of these cause dryness.

The harsh cold and frosty winds can cause excessive dryness and dandruff, and if you don’t retain or replenish the moisture in your hair, damage will soon follow. The best way to combat this is by protecting the hair. During the winter, I never leave out of my house without my hair being covered. I generally wear a satin or silk scarf under my winter hat to preserve the style as well as prevent direct contact with the harsh material most hats are made of.

In the winter the air becomes extremely dry and harsh; inside and outside. In order to retain moisture in your hair during the day, it is good to use a humidifier to emit humidity in the air inside of your home or office. This will not only combat dry and brittle hair, but can help prevent or minimize dandruff.

Many women opt to wear protective styles during the winter. Protective styles are styles that guard the ends of the hair from the elements; buns, braid extensions, and weaves are a few protective styles to consider. Each of these styles are generally low maintenance, and if maintained properly will allow you to preserve as much of your hair as possible throughout the winter months.

If you choose to wear a bun, it’s important to make sure that the hair is not pulled back too tightly, as this may cause stress on the hair line. It is also a good idea to take the bun down every night and lightly mist the ends (about the last 2 inches of hair) with a good moisturizing spray such as Growth by Sweet Nature by Eddie; and then lock in that moisture with a heavy oil such as castor oil. This will leave the hair super soft, strong and moisturized in the morning.

Braid extensions are also a great choice for winter months. If you follow these simple tips, not only will you preserve your hair, but you will have much stronger, softer and healthier hair come Spring. If you are going to use synthetic braiding hair such as yaki, kanekelon or other synthetic fibers, it is best if you soak the hair in apple cider vinegar and then rinse in cool water before getting your extensions put in. Synthetic braids come coated with a chemical that causes our hair to become dry; this will strip the chemical away. Another way to reduce dryness is by spraying the hair with a braid spray every day, again the Growth Spray by Sweet Nature is an excellent braid spray. You don’t have to drench the hair; a fine mist throughout the extensions will suffice

Weaves are considered protective only if they are sewn in and your own hair is cornrowed, out of harm’s way. In this case, the only thing that is essential to retain moisture is to make sure that it is replenished on a regular basis. Depending on the quality of the weave, it’s a good idea to run water through the hair on a regularly, followed with a good moisturizing spray.

Regardless of which protective style you chose to rock during the winter, it’s important to make water your best friend; drink plenty of it and let it run through your hair often. You don’t have to shampoo your hair every time you get it wet, but just letting water run through your hair will restore lost moisture. When I wear braid extensions, I let water run through my braid every other day; although I wash them only once a week. I also try to kick up my water intake to no less than sixty or so ounces a day.

The best way of all to combat winter damage is to be proactive. If you start out with your hair strong and healthy before the winter, it will be a lot easier to maintain and preserve during winter. Adopt a weekly routine of washing with a moisturizing shampoo void of SLS and SLES; a good deep conditioner, and good moisturizer that does not contain mineral oil, petrolatum or paraffin, as these ingredients lead to dryness.

About The Author:
I am a healthy hair care specialist, creator of Sweet Nature by Eddie comprehensive healthy hair care system, author of Relaxed or Natural, You Can Have Beautiful, Healthy Hair, and the owner of http://www.fabulousblackwoman.com

You’ve seen the commercials for shampoos that make your hair extra shiny and healthy for a low price, right? You want your hair to look just like the model’s so you go right out and buy it, right? Well, I’m here to tell you to STOP!!!

As a professional hair stylist, it’s important for me and my clients to have nice, shiny and healthy hair so I can relate to your urges to go and buy a product that promises to deliver shiny, silky, frizz-free hair. But there are reasons why that product full of promises is only a fraction of the cost…you get what you pay for!

Most shampoos, conditioners and styling aids you find in the drug store have a lot of the same ingredients as the professional products found in a salon, but at different ratios. Anytime you read the ingredients on a product of any kind, they are listed from most to least. Drugstore hair product brands have a high percentage of wax in them therefore making the hair appear to be beautifully shiny and healthy, all the while remaining unchanged underneath all of the wax.

The intense shine you get from the knock-off brands only masks the condition of the hair underneath. Even the professional brands that you see sold in the drugstores are not what they seem. These products have been altered (watered down) and so you’re not really getting a professional product for a drugstore price. A word to the wise is not to purchase a professional brand that you see sold in drugstores because they are no longer salon/professional quality and the companies make them are therefore cheating themselves and the customer.

As a hair stylist, it only makes sense to use in the salon what your clients can only buy from you. Salon shampoos and conditioners use more proteins, vitamins and moisturizers than the drugstore brands, which account for a deeper penetration into the hair shaft and that’s what the user wants. The same rules apply when it comes to styling aids such as hair spray, gel, mousse, etc. These drug store products can contain a high amount of alcohol which can be very drying to the hair especially when they’re used on a regular basis. Professional brand styling aids have a much lesser amount of alcohol or none at all.

We all know the economy’s not doing the best but if you’re using drug store hair care products, likely, your hair’s not doing the best either. Sometimes it takes putting things into perspective to realize our priorities. Your hair is an integral part of your appearance and plays a major role in your overall look and feel so spend a few extra dollars and have peace of mind that you’re doing the right thing…your hair deserves it!

Jennifer Brown,
Jenn’s Hair Chair
http://www.jennshairchair.com

Packed with sunshine lemons are bursting with health benefits. Just the thought of them makes your mouth water and their refreshing fragrance lifts your spirits. Everyone knows the benefits vitamin C rich lemons have on the body but few know their cosmetic properties. For centuries women have used lemons to cleanse, tone and condition their skin. As a natural antioxidant they combat the signs of aging by helping to stimulate collagen production. The cosmetics industry uses lemons to produce a range of skin care preparations, but they are expensive. You can make lemon rich cosmetics at home cheaply and easily using items from your kitchen store cupboard. Here’s how.

Cleansing should always be the start of your skin care regime. To make a facial scrub mix together equal parts of lemon juice, oatmeal and honey. Add water until it becomes a runny paste. Store this gentle cleanser in the fridge and used every day to clean and condition your skin. To use take a small amount in the palm of your hand and moisten with a little warm water. Rub your hands together until evenly distributed, scrub your hands gently over your face paying attention to the creases at the sides of your nose and mouth or any oily patches. When finished use the excess to scrub the backs of your hand, then rinse your face and hands with plenty of warm water. Pat dry with a soft towel. This cleanser is cheap enough to use as a body scrub before a bath or shower.

Use lemon juice to tone the skin after cleansing. Try this recipe. Take two tablespoons of lemon juice, one tablespoon of vodka, one tablespoon of witch hazel and two tablespoons of water. Pour into a bottle and shake well, store in the fridge and use as needed. Apply to skin with a cotton wool pad and leave for three to five minutes. Rinse the face with warm water and pat dry with a towel. Do not use on damaged skin as it will sting.

After cleansing and toning use moisturizer. Make a simple and inexpensive moisturizer by blending together equal amounts of honey, lemon juice and oil. Sweet almond oil is a nice luxury but you don’t need to use it olive oil is fine. Put into a bottle and shake until all ingredients have blended together. Dab on face and neck with cotton ball, use the tips of your finger to massage into skin in small upwards circular movements. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with soft towel.

Condition your skin with a weekly mask treatment. Squeeze a lemon into a cup of warm milk and stand till curdled. Put two tablespoons of oatmeal and a tablespoon of oil into a bowl and add the curdled milk, stir well. The mixture must runny enough to spread on the skin but not too runny that it slides off. Smear on your face, neck, hands, legs and feet and leave for half an hour. Rub excess off with clean towel and shower or bathe in usual way. This mask will improve pimples and the overall condition of your skin. Use this preparation to soften the skin on cracked heels and aid healing.

Home made skin care products are not just inexpensive alternatives to off the shelf cosmetics. You are in control of the ingredients. You know where you bought them and how old they are. You can choose to use organic, eco-friendly or fair traded products and you can even make sure they were not produced by child labour.

Jane Manby has been playing around on the internet for years and is currently the owner of [http://www.frugal-dougal.co.uk] a site devoted to frugal living. For more frugal living tips why not sign up to our frugal living tips newsletter at [http://www.frugal-dougal.co.uk/frugal-living-tips-newsletter.html]

Does your curly hair break as you try to straighten it, style or even color it? Are you frustrated with the damaging effects of chemical treatments or even the straighteners? The beautiful natural curls of a black woman require special products which’ll combat breakage without the further harmful effects of chemical ingredients. There are firms that will elevate and even protect your curls with organic products for curly hair, developed specially for women of color. Do look for specialized products for curly hair which contain all-natural, organic ingredients.

All these products strive to care for your curls with all-natural and organic ingredients, most commercially available hair products for curly hair contain petroleum derivatives such as petroleum mineral oil and even certain glycerin. All of these are traditionally used in many lines for black women as they give an immediate softer feel to the hair but overtime they cause the hair to dry even further.

Petroleum jelly in its base form is nothing but refined crude oil. Making use of that crude oil ingredient with the usage of most of the curly hair of a black woman follows claims that it offers a softening as well as smoothing benefit.

To smooth you hair and also control your hair fall, the organic products available make the most of soothing effects of shea and even mango butter. While petroleum jelly in this hair products for curliness in black women can primarily soften as well as smooth your hairs, it does so by repelling water that makes the hair shaft drier and more susceptible to breakage and damage. Organic products for curliness leave out the fewer choice of petroleum jelly in favor of the natural and organic ingredients which don’t coat your scalp and hair. By letting your scalp to breathe, your hair will grow much quicker and even your curls would be less damaged and dry and more manageable.

The power of plants are being used for the traditional African hair and scalp care. Nowadays organic and natural products, aim to recreate those historic components with the utilization of penetrative African oils and mineral rich spa clay in their line of hair products for curliness. The Moroccan Magic wash-out conditioner is one such product that moisturizes and revitalizes your curls without the damaging effects of chemical ingredients. Packed with rich sea minerals that when gently warmed penetrate the hair shaft leaving your hair rejuvenate from inside out naturally, as well as perfectly pH balanced.

Making use of the organic hair products for curly hairs would not only improve the health of your hair; it would also make your curls more manageable, stronger, and moisturized.

Are you looking for organic hair products for curly hair? Don’t know where to find a perfect one? Then, just log on to http://www.EvelynProducts.com and select from a range of organic hair products made exclusively for curly hair.

Steaming is a skin care fundamental. It helps draw out toxins and impurities. Steaming function is to open the pores more, which also helps the skin have the benefits of masks, face scrubs and creams used straight after.

Nothing easier like to do steaming.

Fill a large pot with hot water.

You should add fragrant herbs such as peppermints, rose petals, mint petals or essential oils in the water.

Lower your face over the pot which should cover the head and pot in a way that steam is directed towards your face. Don’t let the steam burn your face though.

Use a soft towel to dry your face.

A steam won’t remove dirt and grime, but it will soften the skin’s surface enough to help cleanse and unclog pores. Another benefit is the heat increases circulation and relaxes facial muscles. You may feel yourself rejuvenated and free of tension.

As a good skin care practice, steaming should be done once in a week. For better results, before steaming your face you can apply a moisturizer and massage the face and neck. You cleanse/exfoliate after you steam. You can just cleanse your face how you normally do, using a cotton towel to gently wash your face. This will clear the dead cells off and increase the blood circulation.

If you have dry skin, frequent steaming is not recommended as it will devoid the skin of its natural moisture. Before going for a steaming, use an oil-based moisturizer.

Valerian Dinca is a freelance writer specialized in items such as anti aging skin formula

A healthy lifestyle supplemented with proper diet is the magic key for healthy and beautiful hair. But our fast paced life generally doesnt allow us to follow it. But these hair care tips along with some hair care products might just do the trick for you.

Hair Care Tips and Products

. Hair Spray: Chop one lemon (or an orange for dry hair). Place in a pot with two cups water. Boil until half of the initial amount remains. Cool, strain, and place in a spray bottle. Store in refrigerator. If it is too sticky, add more water. Add one ounce of alcohol as a preservative and thenthe spray can be stored for up to two weeks unrefrigerated.

. Hair Cocktail:

. For instant shine: Lightly beat two eggs mixed with some milk and run throuigh your hair. Leave on for five minutes, rinse and you will see a shine instantly.

. For Dandruff: Dissolve two aspirins in your dandruff shampoo and watch how it clears up. Use a good moisturizing conditioner afterward.

. For greasy hair: Use face powder. Put a little at the root of your hair before straying. If it is a serious problem, put the powder on heavily for 15 minutes wash completely, condition lightly, and style.

. Sweet shine: Honey applied in a small amount while washing the hair will give you a great shine.

Must Visit: 10 Skin Care Tips a women must know at http://www.weightloss-health.com/skin%20care%20treatment%20tips.htm

. For Dry Hair:

For dry hair, increase the intake of polyunsaturated oils such as sunflower oil, margarine and eat food rich in Vitamin B like pulses, brown rice, bananas etc

Tip: Avoid Salty foods.

. For Oily Hair:

Mix equal amounts of aloe vera gel and shampoo, plus a tablespoon of lemon juice. Diet for Oily Hair: Eat lots of green leafy vegetables, salads and fresh fruit.

Tip: Avoid fried and greasy foods. Also say no to red meat.

. Home remedy for Falling Hair:

Take 10-15 leaves of the large Ber fruit. Burn them in mustard oil, make a paste and apply on your hair for 1 hour and then wash it. This remedy surely works and prevents hair loss for almost everyone.

Tip: Never sleep in a tight braid or ponytail. Never brush wet hair too. It is always advisable to let your hair dry naturally than to use any heating equipment. These practices can cause hair breakage or loss of hair over time.

Must Visit: Quick Fix your dandruff and hair care tips in summer at http://www.weightloss-health.com/hair%20loss%20hair%20care.htm

About the Author:

Ashley Green: for [http://weightloss-health.com] your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health.

Look out for more hair loss and hair care tips at Hair Loss, Hair Care Tips and Products [http://www.weightloss-health.com/hair%20loss%20hair%20care.htm]

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Have you always wanted to know how to make dreadlocks? There is no simpler hairstyle to create and maintain. Dreadlocking your hair is part of a hair care tradition from many diverse cultures worldwide. Learning how to do it properly can help you preserve the health of your hair. Learning how to care for them properly is also an important part of keeping your hair healthy.

One of the main tips to making dreadlocks is that the texture of your hair is very important. You want to make sure that there is a wavy or kinky texture as this can make it easier for the dreads to form. If your hair is wavy, you are already one step ahead. Consider getting a perm or wave in your hair to help give it the necessary texture. You also want to make sure that your hair is not overly slippery. Stop using conditioner and use clarifying or residue removing hair products to get rid of any product build up in your hair.

Most methods of making dreadlocks require some sort of binding agent. This can be dread wax, beeswax or hair pomade. You want to divide the hair into sections, twist the hair and add the wax or pomade. You want to then twist the hair again and add a rubber band to the end of the twist in order to hold it in place. Eventually you will not need to keep the bands in but you do in the beginning while the locks are forming.

As the hair grows, you will want to make sure that you keep twisting and back combing it in order to make sure that the dreads form along the length of the hair lock. This may take a lot of time and effort at the beginning but eventually you will find a method that works best for you and you will be able to maintain the hairstyle more easily and quickly.

When you are washing your dreads, you want to make sure that you are using a residue-free shampoo every time you wash them. This can help you keep your hair free of fragrance and chemicals that can inhibit hair growth. The residues in some shampoos can also mold if they are left in your hair too long. Because of the way dreads form, residue cannot fall out of the hair like it can with hair that is brushed.

Once you have your dreadlocks established, you can look at different ways to decorate them. This can include beads that are placed in the hairs themselves, or sleeves which fit over the dreadlocks. You can also use a tam to keep dreads out of the way when needed. Dreadlocks can be a wonderful way to style your hair. Knowing how to make and maintain them properly is the key.

Andrew Greenwald is a hairstylist. Find more dreadlocks hairstyle ideas and tips only on CoolMensHair.com

For most of us, taking care of our bodies is a natural part of our day. We’ve been bombarded with the messages that tell us that diet, exercise, and taking care of ourselves on a number of different levels can result in increased healthy and vitality – and we’ve heeded the advice, heading to the gym and watching what we eat. But part of caring for ourselves includes taking care of the outside; how we look says a lot about who we are and putting care and attention into our hair, clothes, makeup, and overall grooming can make the difference in how people perceive us and, most importantly, how we feel about ourselves. Taking care of your hair, especially, will go a long way towards setting the tone for your overall style and pulling together a look that’s uniquely you. And when it comes to making sure you look your best, salon hair care is paramount to healthy and attractive hair.

Salon hair care simply means the frequent visiting of a salon and professional hair stylist to ensure that your hair is healthy. Healthy hair is beautiful hair and there is no getting around this simple fact. For some, trimming their hair at home has become part of their routine. But a professional hair stylist can offer a level of expertise that will ensure that you have the hairstyle – and color – that looks best on you. And most important to remember is that salon hair care does not have to mean expensive hair care.

There are many high-end salons today that offer superlative service with expensive price tags. Depending on where you live, it is always possible to find hair salons that offer just as quality salon hair care at a much lower price and the answer lies in overhead. Look for smaller salons that have fewer stylists and are located just a little bit off the beaten path. It’s a simple equation; when their rent is cheaper your salon hair care is cheaper.

Salon hair care will mean a professional cut and style along with a thorough shampoo and conditioning treatment. If you have particularly dry hair then salon hair care is imperative to maintaining a healthy level of moisture in your hair.

When it comes to color, salon hair care is the way to go in order to find the color that is right for you skin tone. More than anything, color that is not done professionally can go horribly wrong. Stick with the experts when it comes to coloring – and caring for – your hair; you won’t be sorry.

For easy to understand, in depth information about salon hair care visit our ezGuide 2 Hair Care.