Pros and Cons of Hairstyling Products

Gels, mousse, hair creams, hair sprays, hair wax... you name it, I'm sure you've tried it. Whether it worked or not, all of us have used hair products at one time or another. Some of us use products for the look it gives, some for the texture, and some for its nourishing effect. Whatever are reasons were, all of us have gone through the "shoot and miss" dilemna when choosing the right product for you. Here are a few tips that hopefully help you through in choosing what's right for you.

Hair Gels.

Since the 80's hair gels has been a mainstay in salons for its hairstyling needs. A classic solution for taming wild and unruly hair, hair gels contains polymers and glycols that give a natural hold and shine that would hold whatever hairstyle you shaped. Humidity resistant additive makes gel-styled hair last the entire day and ensure a wet-look to your style. Alcohol-additives, however, makes long-term use of this product not advisable as it could damage your hair and cause more harm than good. Development of water-based gels makes this product less-harmful but is not as humidity and sweat resistant as alcohol-based hair gels.

Hair Mousse.

Appearing in the late 80's and early 90's, hair mousse was a revolutionary product when it first came out. Providing a very firm hold while retaining natural softness to your hair, it was ideal for producing a natural, everyday look to your hair. However, it was later found out that long-term use could be harmful to your hair as this product also contains alcohol-based ingredients that could definitely harm your hair.

Hair Spray.

A salon styling-aid, hair spray provides a very stiff hold for those very radical hairstyles. Along with hair gels, hair sprays came out in the 80's and produced those very wild-looking hairstyles well known during that decade. Resistant to heat, humidity, water and sweat, hair spray is perfect for special occasions that require long-lasting hairstyles. But again, alcohol content makes this product not ideal for everyday use.

Hair Creams.

Light and oil-based, hair creams provide a nourishing effect to your hair. Oil additives also provide a nice light hold to your hair that provides a natural look to your hair. However, this product lacks that long-lasting effect of other products as it does not contain humidity-resistant and water-resistant properties.

Hair Wax.

The most recent product that came out of the market, hair wax combines some of the positive qualities of creams and gels. Containing beeswax, it provides the nourishing effect of oil-based products while retaining a firm hold of alcohol-based products. Able to hold even the most radical styles, hair wax made possible all the styles we see today. The natural look it gives eliminates the "stiff" look produced by hair gels or sprays and the wax provides natural resistance against humidity and water. However, like alcohol, wax could be harmful to your hair when used for prolonged period of time.

So take your pick, but whichever you chose make sure that you do everything in moderation because too much of anything could do more harm than good.

Hollywood Baldness

To an ordinary guy, his hair is his crown and glory. What more to a male Hollywood celebrity whose bread and butter is his looks? Unfortunately, 8 out of 10 men will suffer from varying degrees of baldness and being a celebrity does not exclude anyone from this predicament.

So how do stars deal with this? Short of doing drastic hair follicle replacements and surgeries or modern medications, here are a few trick that Hollywood stars use to make their heads look like “glamour” written all over it.

Toupees

Humphrey Bogart and Jimmy Stewart were known for having hairpieces especially made for them and styled for them. Although this is the easiest and quickest remedy for baldness, it does have its consequences. Aside from being expensive and would require frequent maintenance, hairpieces are known for having an “artificial look” when exposed to daylight. It might look good on the cameras but it would make an ordinary Jow look ridiculous and would not be advisable for everyday use. Not to mention, winds exceeding 10 mph would definitely blow everything away and reveal to the world your “secret.”

Hair extensions

Receding hairline is the most common pattern of baldness. It is also the most difficult to hide. What to do? Make the most of what is left. Attach artificial hair to your own hair. Matthew McCounneghey, Brendan Frazier, and Ben Affleck are rumored to have utilized hair extensions in (or maybe even out) of the silver screen. While hair extension do have a not-so-drastic approach and, by all means, can be an everyday remedy, like toupees, it still has an artificial look in it and would only work with today’s cinema magic.

Drastic Hairstyles

This is the most common remedy that celebrities do to address their baldness. While comb over style ala-Donald Trump works well for elderly celebrities (as well as for the common grandpas) it does seem kind of out-of-date and has the word “bald underneath” written all over it. Fortunately, there are now modern hairstyles that would effectively hide, or at the very least, reduce the effect of baldness. Jude Law noticeably has a receding hairline, but with the right haircut and proper styling, we could hardly notice it on the silver screen.

Shaving it all of

However, if styling or haircut does not work for you, going all out could be the only way. It’s easy to do for the stylist and easy to maintain for the person. Vin Diesel, Patrick Stewart, Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson to name a few are perfect examples of celebrities who went all out when their balding patterns are no longer controllable. Even with their crowns of, these celebrities still look dignified, attractive and retained the “glitter and glamour” celebrities are known for.

So take your pick; hair extension, new hairstyles, or going bald? Whatever you chose, pick the one that would make you feel comfortable and confident about your self.

Don’t worry. In this day and age, Bald is beautiful.

Gray Hair, Nice Style..

I asked some people on what they think about going gray, they have a lot of different ideas or opinions. And what the majority said is that “It all depends on the person but If I’m going to have gray hair, I would definitely love it and I will have no intention in coloring it - ever!”, they said. In addition to going gray with grace, most women need to update their 'do' and makeup. Gray hair can wash out your skin tone and long straggly hair is not flattering to anyone over the age of 20! Another very important ingredient in the ageing process is how you feel inside and how you project those feelings. Some of us look very old at 25 and others seem to be young at 60. Attitude and thinking of others can be a big plus in the battle to maintain our youth. Just look at some male celebrities nowadays. Even if they have that gray hair phenomenon, they still look gorgeous. It just shows that it depends on the person on how he or she projected it.

Some celebrities have it on purpose. It is some kind of a fashion that some people around them look it very odd but majority of their fans likes it. If you think that going gray is the sign that you are getting older, in some fact yes but well, don’t. It may be the start of your new life, have it as a style.

In learning how to live with it and love it, here’s how:

• Get a great haircut. Well-groomed hair shows you're proud of it and not just "letting yourself go."


• Wear makeup. Even if you just slick on some lipstick, you'll add color to your face and again, show that your look is deliberate and thought-out.


• Spend more time and money on yourself. Instead spending your money to the saloon or buying some hair dyes or hair colors, better spend it by buying vegetables, fruits or etc. that helps you provide better health.


• Work it. Confidence is attractive. Be confident on what you have right now.
  
  

Face’ Shape Matters

A lot of times or moments when a special hairstyle is necessary, but no matter what the occasion is, you can have the appealing hairstyle that is suitable for you. The choice of the right hairstyle could be very difficult. The most important thing to remember is that it should be maximized the best features of your face, basically the shape. Aside from it, the nature of your hair is also one of the most important factors. Examine it whether it is thick or thin, straight or curly, coarse or wavy before choosing the best hairstyle for you. Here are some tips on what hairstyle is best for you, according to face’ shape:

Shape of Faces:

LONG FACE / OBLONG

-A short, perky bob hairstyle would be attractive for you. It should be short at the back and the angled chin length at the front. With bang brushed to the side, rounds out an oblong face. Long hair, would just make your face longer or lengthier.

SQUARE FACE

-A wide forehead and square jawbone. If your hair is thick, you can go all one length. If it is fine, you can have a slight angle in front. Blunt clipped bangs are not recommended because they just emphasize the squareness of your face.

OVAL FACE

-When a person has this kind of face, you are very lucky! Any hairstyle will suit you. Just don’t go on severe long hairdo that will only make your face look longer.

Natural Causes of Hair Loss

A lot of people don't consider food as a cause of hair loss, as you try to understand it. It is possible..A healthy diet can promote a healthy hair, an unhealthy diet can lead to significant loss. Maintain a healthy diet that has servings of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats and dairy in moderation.

For men, a low-fat diet may help slow down the balding process. On some level, male pattern baldness might be tied to increased testosterone levels during puberty, which are often the result of a high-fat diet or eating too many animal products.

Hair loss in women is often difficult to diagnose and can be caused by many factors, including alopecia areata, hormone imbalances, menopause, dietary protein and amino acid deficiency, intestinal parasites, damage from hair treatments, and stress.

Nutritional deficits caused by extreme weight loss programs can make some people lose hair. The follicles require nutrients, just as the rest of your body does. Ensuring that your diet is filled with healthy foods can promote a healthy hair.

Processed foods has chemicals that can create health problems including hair loss for many individuals. Here are some foods to avoid if you are having hair loss problems:

> Aspartame is a synthetic sweetener that can actually lead to more problems than the refined white sugar, including hair loss.

> Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) may lead to health problems including losing hair.

> Refined white sugar has taken most of the natural elements in the sweetener out. Stick to natural sugar.

> White flour has been over-processed. Many of the nutrients in the grains that make the flour have been removed, leaving little to benefit the body.

> Hydrogenated oils may cause hair loss indirectly as they lead to other health conditions related to losing hair.

> Protein isolate may sound like a healthy option but this is an artificial element that involves hexane in its processing. Hexane is similar to gasoline.