Hair Spray?

I think the last time I used hair spray was when I needed to clear some permanent black marker off a sample jacket I bought for a quarter.  A lady who used to work in the garment district in New York City recommended I spray some really cheap hairspray like white rain on the marker and let it set for 10 or 15 minutes.  I followed her directions and the marker disappeared after a couple of applications.  I don't usually use it on my hair simply because I remember my mother using some that kept her hair in the chosen style through wind and rain.  I've come to understand, hair spray can come in different weights.

To start with, hair spray is a product you spray into your hair to keep it in place while protecting your hair from humidity and wind.  It is designed to cause individual hairs to stick together so they don't move. Although hair sprays are usually found in spray form, it can also be found in pump form.  

In general hair spray can be either a  light hold or flexible formula which allows you to play with your hair style while still being able to brush it out or it can be a strong hold formulas which hold your hair in place and is great to use on those stray hairs when you wear a pony tail. Hint: to get rid of those stray hairs, you just need to spray the hairspray on a toothbrush and run the tooth brush through the pieces of hair you want to stay put.

Unfortunately, hair spray is not just hair spray in that it can be found in so many different types.  You can have a regular hair spray that holds your hair in place without doing anything else or having additional ingredients.  Then there is the working hair spray designed to allow the maximum amount of movement with the least amount of hold.  This type of spray takes longe to dry, builds up when used again and again without washing, but you can tease or texturize the hair after being used.

The third possibility is the volumizing or thickening spray. It has the same properties as a regular hair spray but it makes your hair look fuller and thicker.  On the other hand, you might consider a shaping hairspray which is slow drying so you can finish styling the hair and it will hold it in place when you are done. Although the shaping spray and the working spray is that the working spray is mostly used while stying the hair and the shaping spray is used to keep the styled hair in place.  The shaping spray is more of a finishing spray.

Then there is the texturizing hair spray. This one is similar to a dry shampoo but it can be used on all the hair rather than just the roots. It doesn't leave any white residue nor does it absorb oil from the scalp. In addition, it can cause the hair to have more volume by separating the individual hairs and provides holding power.

Now, if you use a lot of heat based tools, look at using a thermal hair spray. A thermal hair spray adds extra moisture to the hair while preventing the natural moisture from escaping. and it protects the hair by creating a barrier. Once you've finished using the heat, the spray will continue holding the hair in the desired style. If you are going to use heat on your hair, use the thermal hair spray rather than regular hair spray because the regular hairspray contains alcohol and can damage your hair.

If you have super fine hair, look at using a weightless hair spray. It is quite light so it won't weight down your hair and it will look great. On the other hand, if you want something to hold your hair in place so it won't budge no matter what, look at using a freeze hair spray.  It is one of the sprays designed to hold hair solidly in place. If you want to add shine to your hair, consider using a shine hair spray to finish off your hair and give you the shiny look you want.

Finally, when your hair is styled, finish the look off with some finishing spray. This one is a heavy spray designed to keep your hair in place for the rest of the day. Some can add shine while other provide a matte finish.  So if you decide to use hair spray, get the spray that will work best in your situation.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Horses On The Sidewalk.

 

Two horses heading to the park in Stockholm.

Not True

 

Vikings did not wear horned helmets. The belief started when the costume designer for Wagner’s opera decided to do it. 

Bar Shampoo And Conditioner Report

I wrote on finding shampoo and conditioner in bar form earlier this summer.  I purchased it because I knew I was traveling internationally and I wanted something that would use less weight and had no chance of spilling.  I finally got a chance to use it last night since I'm in Sweden.   

The blue bar is the shampoo and the green is the conditioner.  They are a weird shape so they do not fit in a standard soap travel container but they dry nicely when placed on the paper they are packaged in.  

First off, the shampoo was quite easy to use.  I just wet it, rubbed it to create a lather and applied it to the hair.  It lathered up nicely without being too bubbly.  It rinsed out easily and cleanly and didn't leave my hair feeling weird.

The conditioner was a bit harder to use because you have to get it wet before the conditioner starts coating your hair.  I managed to get enough of it on my hair from roots to the ends and my hair hits the bottom of my butt.  So if I can use it, anyone can use it.  I can't say how long I spent rubbing the conditioner on my hair but I just rubbed until the hair felt as if it'd been covered with enough.  The conditioner rinsed out nicely too.

After I rinsed the conditioner out, I was afraid I'd have trouble combining it because my hair can be very picky about the shampoo and conditioner I use. Surprise, surprise, I was able to comb my hair after a quick spray of hair treatment.  I always use a detangler, or oil on my hair when I get ready to comb it, otherwise, I end up with too many knots.  Honestly, I was surprised the conditioner didn't leave my hair a nasty mess.

I used the Hibar brand but if you check on Amazon, you'll find so many more brands to choose from.  You can get moisturizing or columnizing, or containing argon oil, tea tree oil, lavender, or a variety of other herbs.  There are even some mainstream brands such as Garnier who offer shampoo bars.  They are made for dry, normal, and oily hair.  You just have to look at the descriptions to determine if it is something for your hair.

For me, these work well, take little space, and take only a little bit of space.  I highly recommend them and plan to carry the bar shampoo and conditioners for all my traveling.  In addition, the bars are going to last quite a while before I have to purchase any more.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Which Shampoo Is The Best For You

Choices, choices, and more choices.  It's hard to know which type of shampoo to use when you see so many choices in the store.  It is important to know that shampoo is designed to cleanse both your hair and your scalp. of dirt, oil, and any product buildup.  Since the shampoo is for the hair and scalp, the conditioner is for the ends of your hair.

If you ever pay attention to the shampoos found in the store, you'll notice they fall into one of seven types.  The first type is the regular shampoo which is designed for those of us who don't have specific needs.  A regular shampoo is designed to clean the normal hair oils from your hair without stripping it.

Next is the everyday shampoo which is something you'd use if your hair is quite oily or you need to wash it almost everyday.  This shampoo is formulated to have fewer surfactants than a normal shampoo so it is milder. In addition, it can have less soap and a few conditioning ingredients.

Then you have a clarifying shampoo which is the one you'd choose if you use a lot of styling products on your hair. This one deep cleans the hair to get rid of product buildup, but it can be extremely harsh so followup with a good conditioner.  This shampoo should not be used more than once a week because it strips buildup and oils so well from the scalp.

If you have long hair or your hair is damaged, you might want to use an anti-breakage shampoo.  Anti-breakage shampoos are designed to gently clean the hair while creating a glossy finish.  In addition, anti-breakage shampoos help restore the ph balance while repairing damage to the hair.  In the end, this type of shampoo cuts down on the amount of frizz you experience so you have healthier hair.

On the other hand, a purifying shampoo focuses more on cleaning the scalp. Purifying shampoo tends to target dandruff because of the antimicrobial properties.  This type of shampoo often have natural ingredients such as tea tree oil or willow bark extract so it is both cleansing and soothing.

Next is a moisturizing shampoo is designed to help hydrate dryer hair so the hair becomes smoother and shinier.  In addition, it isn't only for those with dry hair, it can be used on almost any hair type except oily because the oily hair doesn't need additional moisturizing.

Finally is dry shampoo which is technically not a shampoo but is referred to as a shampoo because it absorbs extra hair oils but doesn't actually cleanse the hair.  Although dry shampoo is used to extend the time between washings, it can also lead to the buildup that leads to hurting your hair and scalp.  

If you have fine hair, look at using a volumnizing shampoo to add volume to fine thin hair. The shampoo opens the cuticle to encourage growth but the formula tends to be much lighter than a regular shampoo.  Sometimes a volumizer has keratin added to it to strengthen the whole strand of hair.

On the other hand, if you dye your hair, your hair is going to be dryer so it needs extra hydration and one needs to look at using a color treated hair shampoo.  Most people who dye their hair, watch the color fade and the hair lacks oil. The ingredients in a color-treated shampoo contains ingredients that will not strip the color off the hair so it lasts longer.  In addition, the shampoo helps keep the hair hydrated and healthy while protecting the hair from damage.

The last type of shampoo is designed for girls with curly hair.  If you have curly hair, your hair is damaged and is often frizzier.  A good curly hair shampoo with help add moisture into the hair so it is shinier and more healthy. The shampoo is made so it won't strip oils from the hair.

So next time you go shopping, look at what type of shampoo you really need so you can select the perfect shampoo for your individual situation.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Do It Yourself Hair Coloring

I stumbled across a couple of channels on YouTube that are run by professional hair dressers.  They react to videos where the person's attempt at dyeing hair - Fails.  I think all the ones I've seen involve someone trying to go from a darker color to a very blond shade or already have some dyed and some natural.  Most of the professionals tell us not to do it ourselves but to have a professional hairstylist do it. 

I admit I have been dyeing my hair for many years and I've been doing it myself.  I started getting gray hairs when I was quite young and I didn't want to "look" older than I was so I started doing it myself with a box of dye off the shelf.  If you are cringing, please don't.  I've spent the past few years living in a place that was at least two hours by air away from any professional hair stylist so if I'd wanted to have it done professionally, I'd have had to plan a whole weekend away with a minimum cost of around $1000 for air fare, hotel room, cost of services, transportation, and other such expenses.

I've never had a problem since I'm only dyeing the roots to match my natural hair color. In addition I use either a semi-permanent color or a permanent without ammonia and I only do the roots every 4 to 6 weeks.  I don't lighten it with bleach.  I don't try to do anything fancy, just keep the color the same.  I also do not use any heat on my hair and I don't perm it.  I do go in for trims about 3 to 4 times a year and I've been told that my hair is quite healthy.

I know that since the pandemic began, more people have either let their hair return to it's natural color or they have resorted to off the shelf box dyes.  It is recommended that you do not try to bleach your hair to make it lighter at home because it can be very hard and if done incorrectly, you can damage your hair to the point it breaks off.  Furthermore, if you are going from a darker shade to a blonde, it will take at least two bleaching sessions to get it light enough.  

So if you want to dye your hair at home, look for a shade that is only one to two shade lighter or darker but no more. If your hair is shoulder length or longer, you should buy two boxes if you want to dye all your hair, otherwise one box is enough to do all your roots.  It is suggested that you don't try to mix colors to create a custom color.  Instead, choose one shade and stick with it as the results will be better.

Always, always, always perform a strand test, even if you've used the same dye for years.  You don't want to suddenly discover that your hair has become orange or purple.  When you are dyeing your hair, wear clothing that can be easily removed such as a button up shirt, a sarong, or something similar so you don't get dye all over when you pull off a shirt.

It is also recommended you cover the floor, sinks, and everything else with plastic garbage bags so you don't stain your surroundings with dye that splattered off.  In addition, take time to get color on your forehead.  You can create a barrier with petroleum jelly or a solid lip balm.  The lip balm is easier because you can just hold the tube and drag it along the hairline to create the barrier.

When it's time to start dyeing your hair, make sure to read all the instructions completely and read them several times through even if you've done it before.  If you are using a different brand of dye or a different color you want to make sure you do it correctly and each brand has it's own way of doing things.  In addition, make sure you have all your tools laid out ready to go so you don't have stop in the middle of the process.  

Begin applying the dye on dry hair otherwise if used on wet hair, the dye may not be absorbed properly or it might end up being diluted so that you don't end up with the expected results.  Furthermore, it is recommended you apply the dye with a brush so it is less messy and the results look more professional.  You have more control when using a brush because you place it exactly where you want the color. 

In addition, make a habit of sectioning your hair just like the professionals to make sure all the hair is being covered.  Now if you are touching up the roots, you only need to do the roots.  Do not apply it to all your hair every time, especially if you are making them blond to match the rest of your hair.  

Purchase some extra gloves because you need the gloves to dye your hair and when you wash the dye out of your hair.  Furthermore, purchase some disposable shower caps to put over your head once you've applied the dye.  The shower cap helps keep the dye from dripping all over you while you wait and wipe off the dye on your face and hands so they don't get stained.  

To keep the job looking nice, do not wash your hair every day.  Instead wash it a couple times a week and use a shampoo and conditioner designed for color treated hair to help the color last longer.  When you go out, wear a hat to keep the sun from fading the color and look for a color gloss to apply once a week to help color last longer.  

Do not be afraid to use hair coloring if you are going to stay at the same color but if you want to do something more drastic, go to a professional otherwise you might have to pay a lot more to correct the issue or you might loose a bunch of your hair.  You don't want to damage it more than it already is. Let me know what you think, I"d love to hear.  Have a great day.

I will be trying to keep up with my entries over the next two weeks but the entries may be of my trip.  I'm heading off for a trip to Sweden and Iceland for a couple weeks and I"ll be sharing but haven't decided what yet.

Jump With Me

 

Let’s jump into the pile of leaves