By: Charlotte Kuchinsky

Hair color is definitely one of the most important products in a woman’s beauty arsenal. It can perk up dull, lifeless hair, or add zip to a lagging mood. However, in order for hair color to take properly, it must be done correctly from beginning to end. Most all, the hair must be in good enough condition to accept the color. Otherwise the process can backfire, further damaging the hair or completely negating its intended effect.

Whenever possible, it is always best to meet with an experienced colorist before taking the plunge into coloring. No one is better equipped to gauge whether or not your hair is ready for the step. Having said that, there are certain things you should always keep in mind before coloring your hair:

DON’T color hair that is falling out because of an illness, chemotherapy, radiation or some other form of damage. This is not the best time to put additional stress on your tresses. Wait until the hair grows back healthy and strong before making a color change.

Also avoid coloring the hair if you have some type of scalp injury caused by an open wound, lice, or some type of skin disease. Such situations carry their own set of problems and there is no need to exacerbate them further.

DO research before making any color change. Decide exactly what color you want and how long you expect to keep it. This will influence the “type” of color chosen. If you aren’t ready to live with the color for at least three months, then stick with deposit color systems that can be easily washed away.

If you aren’t sure about the color you want, go to a wig shop and try on several different shades in the same color family. Once you find the shade that appeals to you, try to match it by going one or two shades lighter in boxed color.

Be sure to choose a color that is compatible with your skin tone. See my article on choosing hair color for more detail in this area.

DO understand that most hair colors come out one to three shades darker than they look on the box. Exactly how much of a difference you’ll see will be based on the condition of your hair at the time of coloring. The better your hair condition, the more likely you are to get a true color match.

DON’T color recently permed or relaxed hair. It may not be ready to accept color, so wait several weeks before taking the plunge. Most products recommend two weeks minimum; I suggest waiting at least four to six weeks unless the hair is still in strong condition.

DON’T mix different types of coloring processes. For example, if you recently used a permanent hair color on your hair, now may not be the best time to opt for a bleach job. While much of that decision rests on the hair’s condition, various types of hair dyes do contain varied chemicals, which if mixed and matched, can temporarily or even permanently damage hair.

DO understand the various types of color processes. Permanent hair color actually changes the hair’s pigment and cannot be reversed back to the natural color - it has to grow out. Semi-permanent color hides gray and richens color but it does not lighten it. Bleaches lift out all of the color so that a new color can be planted into the hair shaft. Temporary colors typically include wash-in or spray-in colors and glazes that can be washed away over time. Highlighting involves a dual-step process, much like bleaching, but is done on individual or multiple strands rather than the entire head of hair.

DON’T trying doing anything but single process coloring at home on your own. Taking platinum blonde hair to black is risky and could be disastrous if not done properly, which is why it requires a professional’s attention. Double process color – taking dark hair to light by bleaching – should also be left in the hands of professionals in order to avoid breakage and damage.

DON’T try mixing your own custom hair color. Leave that to the professionals, or you could end up with purple, green or orange hair, which for most is not a good look.

DO a test color on the hair first to make certain you are not allergic to any of the coloring ingredients and that you will get the color you want. Wait 24 to 48 hours before proceeding with a full color job.

DO read hair color instructions and follow them to the letter. While many will tell you that you don’t have to pre-shampoo before coloring, a few brands do recommend that step. You will get a better color if you follow the instructions as outlined.

DO use more than one box of color if the hair is extremely long. Using insufficient color will give unnatural results.

DO follow the hair color’s timing guidelines. Leaving hair color on longer than advised may result in breakage or other permanent damage. Leaving it on for a shorter amount of time may result in little or no color change.

DO rinse the color thoroughly. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. Leaving any color clinging to the hair could cause further damage.

DO use the conditioner provided with the color. It is formulated specifically to protect your hair based on the chemicals used in that hair color.

DO refresh your color periodically, usually every six to eight weeks. Use the root touch-up application for this process rather than re-coloring the hair from scratch.

DO consider color choices that go on quickly. The less time the dye has to stay on the hair, the better. Try some of today’s 10-minute colors. They are short, sweet, easy and oh so beautiful!

DON’T perm or straighten hair for several weeks after coloring. I recommend waiting at least 10 to 12 weeks minimum.

DO contact a professional colorist if anything goes wrong. Let him or her fix the problem rather than risking further damage to your hair.

Getting the color you want for your hair can be tricky. However, following all of the above guidelines will get you close!

This is so easy that you’ll never want to spend another rupee curling your hair in a salon. You’ll have a head full of bouncy curls to show off!

You will need:

• A friend to play hair dresser
• Newspapers
• Half a mug of water
• A head of damp hair
• Comb
• Clips

Step 1: Strip some paper

Fold the newspaper into half and tear. Fold the two torn sheets again and tear further. You’ll have four newspaper strips to work with. Repeat the process until you have atleast 12 newspaper strips.

Step 2: Roll strips

Roll the strips into long pipes and make sure that they don’t open up.

Tip: The girl getting her hair curled can take the responsibility of rolling up the paper and passing it on to her ‘hair dresser’ friend as and when she needs it.

Step 3: Comb hair

Comb your hair properly leaving no tangles in it.

Step 4: Part hair

Part a line around the back of your head from ear to ear, and clip the top section of hair up.

Step 5: Divide hair locks equally

Divide your hair locks equally so that the curls that form are also of equal size. If you try to curl too much in one go, the curls may not form. Similarly, if you take too little, your hair might end up looking frizzy. Therefore, try and take about one inch of your locks for a perfect curl.

Step 6: Wet your locks slightly

Take the selected lock of hair in one hand and dip the finger of your other hand in a bowl of water. Wet your locks slightly.

Step 6: Wrap your hair around the newspaper pipe.

Wrap the selected lock of hair around the newspaper pipe. Start from the ends of your hair and roll it upwards. Stop midway to your head. Then take the ends of the pipe and knot them. This will ensure that the hair stays locked in the knotted pipe.

Step 7: Repeat on top section

Repeat the same process on the top section. If need be, part the hair further and clip another section up. This way you’ll have three sections in your hair which you have to further divide into locks.

Step 8: Let it stay

Leave on the newspapers for about 3 hours or even over night. You might feel a tad silly but the end results worth it!

Step 9: Remove paper

Remove the newspaper pipes from your hair. Do not comb hair but gently run your fingers through your hair.

Tip: if your curls are too tight and unsightly, don’t panic. Just run your hand over each lock of over-curled hair and smoothen it lightly. You can even damp your hands slightly to do so.

Step 10: Spray

Squirt some hair spray on to hold the style and you’re ready to flaunt your bouncy curly locks!

There’s nothing worse than wearing a sleeveless t-shirt and exposing your dual shaded arms to the world or having chappal straps permanently embossed on your feet.

Avoid a tan by following these steps religiously!

You will need:

• Sunscreen
• Long sleeved loose shirt
• Extra long gloves
• An Umbrella
• A cap/hat or a long scarf

Step 1: Smear sunscreen

Buy a tube of sunscreen and make sure it’s stronger than an SPF 25 as Indian summers tend to burn.

Step 2: Hide from the sun

Avoid the midday sun i.e. from 11 am to 4 pm as it is at its strongest then. Step outdoors only when you absolutely have to.

Step 3: Protect your arms

Protect your arms when you’re out in the sun by pulling on a long sleeved shirt. You can also stash a pair of extra long gloves (the kind that go beyond your elbows) in your car/bike and keep them in full view so that you never forget to put them on.

Step 4: ALWAYS carry an umbrella

When you least expect it, the sun will pounce on you so always, always carry an umbrella.

Tip: Buy one of the foldable ones which can fit snugly into your bag.

Step 5: Cover your head

Before stepping out, always cover your head either with a hat or a scarf. It’ll not only protect your face from tanning but will save your hair from dryness and pollution.

Acne is a problem faced primarily by teenagers across the world. However, it is not uncommon to find acne in individuals aged between twenty to forty years. Acne is a skin problem characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and lumps. It generally occurs on the face, neck, upper arms, and shoulders.

Bacteria, excessive oil, dirt, make-up, and sweat are some of the factors that cause acne. Therefore, acne skin care must be targeted at keeping the skin clean and reducing its oiliness. Individuals with acne should wash their faces with warm water and soap or face wash that is specially manufactured for acne-prone skin. Products containing tea tree oil are supposed to be beneficial. While application of a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher is essential while going out during the day, night cream should be avoided. Astringent can be used to cleanse and tone the skin, followed by the application of a mild, water-based moisturizer.

Pimples should not be touched frequently or squeezed, as this often aggravates the problem and leaves behind stubborn marks. Tomato, mint, or cucumber juice can be applied on the face and the neck. They provide a blemish-free complexion. In addition, a weekly face mask made of almond powder, milk, and rosewater can prevent pimples and lead to glowing skin.

Oil-based make up should not be used on acne-prone skin. Although a variety of concealers are available in the market to hide skin blemishes, they offer only a temporary solution. In fact, some concealers add to acne problems. Apart from following a skin care regimen based on suitable products, diet needs to be controlled to prevent or cure acne. This is because acne also results from digestive disorders. Intake of fried food, sweets, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and alcohol should be cut down. Instead, fresh lime, tomato, or carrot juice can be taken in-between meals. These help to cleanse and hydrate the body internally, and only a healthy body can possess flawless, glowing skin. Therefore, a mix of internal and external care is required to combat acne.

Your hair makes you look gorgeous, bold and beautiful. It is your hair because of which you attract attention of other people. So it is natural that you will always expect that your hair will look good and as that as people like them. But certainly your hair didn’t fulfill your expectations on every other day. Even though some time you feel disappointed because of your hair. The reason is simple; you are unable to keep them as you want and as others like them. In such a situation definitely, you would like to spend some time for your hair and then it is obvious to know about Hair Care.

Tips on Hair Care:
Here are few tips that will help you to either not seeing a bad hair day or to come out if you are experiencing at present.

* Stick to a healthy life style. Give up your smoking habits, do exercise regularly, eat balanced diet and use relaxation techniques when stressed.
* Get a deep sleep in night, do not sleep with burdens otherwise you will have a disturbed sleep enough to trap into a bad hair day.
* If you are using hair styling products and cosmetics, try to avoid using products containing alcohol particularly in high concentration.
* Do not put hair styling products on your scalps, this will block the pores on your head and may harm your head and hair both.
* Swimming is a good exercise, do it. But before jumping into a swimming pool wet your hair enough with plain water. Pool water contains chlorine, which is not good to your hair.
* Set your hair dryer on cool settings, hot is not for your hair.
* Keep hair dryer moving, do not stick it to one place for long.
* Before using hair dryer, use a good quality towel to dry hair and then use hair dryer to get the rid of wetness.
* Use a comb that bristles are made of animal hairs, it would be soft on your hairs.
* Always use clean comb / brushes. Clean your comb / brushes with soap or shampoo on a regular basis.
* Always comb / brush your hair downwards.
* Shampooing your hair is important. Always use good quality products.
* Use trial and error method to select a shampoo for you and choose the one that is best suitable.