​Are you overwhelmed? Watching too much of the News?  The stress of life causes you become tense and even your scalp becomes tight. That tight scalp inhibits circulation and hinders healthy hair growth.

For years hairdressers have known the best way to relieve stress and to relax the scalp. That’s why every salon visit starts with a shampoo and thorough head massage. This massage increases circulation, stimulates nerve endings, frees knots of muscle tension, relaxes connective tissue and feels great. Professionals are trained in the pattern of manipulation for the most beneficial massage, however it is a simple process to perform on yourself with almost the same relaxing and healthful results.

Using the following technique will get you started on taking better care of your scalp. You can create a massage lotion yourself by using a moisturizing conditioner and adding a few drops of essential oil. Try using lavender oil, chamomile or jasmine for anxiety and stress relief, or use grapefruit to uplift the spirits. Be aware that the essential oils are too strong to be used alone so be sure to mix them with the conditioner.

Rinse your hair with warm water, and then wrap the hair in a warm towel to remove about 50% of the water. Remove the towel, loosen the hair, and apply a massage lotion. 
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All of the manipulations will be performed with the pads of fingers and under the hair. Use slow, steady movements for enhanced relaxation or vigorous massage for more energy.

Begin by placing both hands at each side of the back of the head, fingers pointed up. Slide the fingers firmly upward until they meet at the top at the head.

Next, repeat the movement, except move the fingers in one-inch rotations as they slide towards the top. Repeat this several times.

Now, place your hands in the front, palms on the forehead, fingers toward the top of the head and repeat the rotating motion while sliding the fingers toward the crown. Repeat this motion several times.

Next, place the fingertips at the sides of the head just above the ears. Use the same circular motion as you move your fingers toward the top of the head. Repeat several times.

Finally, place the fingertips at the temples and massage in slow circular movements.

Finish by firmly running the fingers of both hands from the front hairline to the back. Repeat this several times.

Remove the oils with a gentle shampoo.  Follow with a conditioner to leave both scalp and hair in top condition.
There is no need to wait for a trip to the hair salon for all the therapeutic benefits of a wonderful scalp massage. All you have to do is spend a little time pampering yourself.

​It seems so simple – just cut a straight line on straight hair. Right?
No. Cutting your little girl’s hair or your own hair can be quite a challenge.
Looking closely, you may notice that a person’s head is not made up of straight lines. All of the areas are curved. Cutting straight lines in hair may result in an  un-natural un-even appear appearance.

Trimming bangs: You may call this section the fringe.
Comb all of the long hair – the hair that you do not want to cut – back and clip it out of the way. We do this to avoid cutting hair that is not meant to be part of the bangs. Cutting a few long hairs, by accident, each time you trim bangs, can eventually result in more bangs than you want.

• Divide the bang area into two or three sections. You will cut each section separately. Judge the amount of hair in each section on whether you can see through it. It must be that thin.

 

• You may want to begin the bang area at the eyebrows and angle down slightly from the end of the eyebrow to the hairline so that the effect is curved. Bring down the next section and trim it even with the first. Don’t lift the hair and the shears away from the head. Keep your fingers and the shears close to the forehead.

 

• When all the sections are trimmed, I like to comb all of the bang section straight up and together at the center, allowing shorter hairs to fall away. You will see that there are longer hairs in the center. I trim the longer (keeping it thin) area straight off, thus creating a very slight layering, taking away the blunt effect. Start with a very small amount, not more than ¼ inch. You can always cut more.

The result is natural looking bangs with a soft, not blunt, edge.


The end trim.

• Divide the entire back of her hair into sections. Try to keep your partings even as they go around the curve of the head. If you have a wavy line, straighten it out. Each section should be thin enough to see through. Trying to cut through a section that is too thick will result in uneven ends or a very blunt effect.
• Comb each section smooth and trim the hair, keeping your hands and shears very close to the back, making sure not to lift the hair up to trim it.
• Bring down each section and trim it to match the previous section.
• If you want the hair to cup under slightly, tip the chin down to the chest. Comb hair down smoothly and trim. Again, holding the shears very close to the body. This will cause the hair underneath to be slightly shorter than the hair on top.

Nervous? Start your haircutting career by trimming a small amount at first. It is safer than attempting a major style change. Save that until you are an experienced “pro.”

​You may have heard. There’s a current trend in hair care, of not using shampoo. Some women report they haven’t used shampoo in a year or more. Instead, they use only conditioner to massage into the hair and scalp, just as they would shampoo. Then they rinse and style. Proponents of this trend say it is much better for their hair and they notice better condition and texture.

My opinion:

It causes no harm to skip the shampoo and use only conditioner occasionally. Many of us shampoo far too often. Hair doesn’t usually get extremely dirty, unless our body produces an excessive amount of sebum. Skipping the shampoo once in a while allows for more natural oil in the hair as well as an extra layer of conditioner. Women with coarse or naturally curly hair receive benefit because hair is less frizzy.

Warning: Weigh the risks.

Let’s talk about the way hair grows. During the natural growing process of hair, there is a dormant cycle. The hair root has shed its hair shaft. A new hair is on its way but hasn’t shown up yet. It’s still under the skin, inside the follicle. It is during this time that skin cells, styling product, and dirt have a chance to clog the follicle, slowing or preventing new hair growth.

The natural process of shedding skin cells causes a build-up in and around hair follicles. Add to this, mousse, gel, and everyday dust and grime, and you are accumulating layers of follicle clogging materiel.

Shampoo is created to cleanse the scalp. Continual use of only conditioner, without shampoo, will cause layers of build-up, leading to scalp problems and possibly to thinning hair.

One More Thing

As they age, many people have a natural tendency toward thinning hair. Hormones change, and hair growth becomes sluggish. Neglecting the shampoo at this time, will speed up hair loss by allowing oils and shed skin to clog hair follicles.
 
My advice:

If you feel led, skip the shampoo once in a while. Other times, use a good quality shampoo. It will cleanse your hair and scalp while leaving hair in good condition. A cheaper product often leads to dry hair and scalp. 

Use a proven product such as Redken Genius Wash.

The search for a new hairdresser can be one of life’s more stressful experiences. All you want is to find someone who listens to what you have to say, suggests new styles periodically, lets you know what is flattering to you personally, and ultimately, does your hair the way you want it done. Sounds easy, right? Wrong.

Women will stay with an unsatisfactory hair stylist for years just because it can be a disastrous experience trying someone new. Finding the great hairdresser is not easy, but with a little patience and some prior planning, the process can be rewarding.

• Rule one: Don’t rush. Do your homework. Find someone with a style you like, an acquaintance or even a stranger and ask them about their hairdresser. They will be flattered. Be brave. Keep searching. Get several referrals. Then you are ready to go for the Consultation. 
• Consultations are free. This is where you just talk to the hairdresser. You explain what you are looking for in a style and you also size up the hairdresser. She should ask questions about your history with your hair and how much time you want to spend styling it. Don’t dress up or dress down for the visit. The hairdresser needs to know your personal style. The only indication she has is the picture you present and through what you tell her. It is essential that the two of you have an understanding here. Also expect some suggestions. Beware of the stylist who insists on his or her own idea of what you should wear. Be certain that you are in agreement before the actual haircut appointment.
  Observe the hairdresser. Is her hair stylish and well kept? An ultra-trendy style is not always the best indication of an educated stylist. Though it might be just the thing if that’s the kind of look you are going for. Is it stylish, flattering to their features and appropriate for their clothing style?

• Rule two: Be Prepared. Before your visit to the salon, find pictures of styles you like. Look in fashion or other magazines. Collect pictures of stars and personalities. Any style that strikes your fancy. You can also take along pictures of partial styles, if you like the back of one and the front or the crown of another. The salon will also have style books available for you to look at. If you plan to do this, arrive at least twenty minutes in advance of your appointment. A busy stylist will only have a certain amount of time allotted for you. You will not want to waste too much time trying to make a basic decision. 
• Rule three: Don’t relax yet! Now you are sitting in the chair, ready for the cut. Sit up straight. Don’t fidget or cross your legs. Feet flat on the footrest. If you lean to one side, even slightly, and your hairdresser doesn’t notice, the balance of the cut can be thrown off. Fidgeting is irritating as well as apt to cause mistakes in the line. By the way, keep your head still while you are talking. This is one occasion when it is not the rule to look into the eyes of the person you are talking to. You may talk to her reflection in the mirror.

And one last piece of advice, examine your motives. Be careful about being impulsive. 
Times when it is not wise to change your style are:

• when you have just broken up with your boyfriend
• when you have had a fight with your husband
• when you have just changed jobs.

It’s best to be calm, cool and of sound mind. If you are not; opt for a trim - and a manicure.