The Mane Game..................

There is no feeling, absolutely no feeling quite like that of  freshly washed hair that are soft, silky, smooth and frame your face and move with every step you take................ it makes you feel great and look fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If your hair are looking good, believe me girl, rest will automatically fall in place!!!!

For any woman worth her salt, hair are her most prized possession. And to make this possession a prize, what all she has to do and endure???????? Yet, why is it that your neighbour's hair or hair style or streaks seem better than yours??? That is the million dollar question to which I don't have any answer.

What I do have is a few tips and do's and dont's that help in hair care.

First and foremost, have a hair style that suits your face, in a length

you are comfortable with. This decision  is absolutely individualistic , your hair, your choice according to your hair type, lifestyle and preference. But a style that makes you feel good and confident and feminine and easy to maintain if you are always on "the run" type of woman!!! If you have leisure on your hands, then go for any length and style that you like and enjoy!!!

But all lengths and types of hair need to be looked after and pampered with regular conditioning . If they are chemically treated, then even hair spas are needed .

Of course, it starts with regular shampooing . Select a shampoo that suits your hair and scalp and according to any chemical treatment that you might have done to your hair. There are specific shampoos for coloured and rebonded hair, sticking to them will go a long way in maintaining your hair treatment. Nowadays, the silicone-and sulfate free shampoos are highly recommended for  shiny, healthy and frizz free hair. Personally I have never used one. I go for shampoos that nourish my hair as well keep the scalp squeaky clean. To each his own....................

Shampooing should be done with your head down so that the shampoo water does not flow onto your face and back or you could end up with eruptions .

Hair can be washed as frequently as they dictate , from daily to once a week. Try not to wash everyday as it takes away the  natural oils from your hair and tends to dry it out. If you wash after too long, the scalp could become itchy. But whatever you do, condition, condition, condition............... before a head bath, after a head bath, with leave in conditioners and serums . You can use oils, masks, conditioners, power cell masks, natural home ingredients like egg, lemon, honey, yogurt, mayonnaise, banana, beer.......... they all work.

When oiling hair, try using hot oil. Any oil will work, olive, castor, coconut, amla, almond, but make sure that the oil is imbibed by your hair and scalp. For this its not important to keep it overnight, even 45 minutes is enough but give it heat treatment. If you have the spa steamer at home, then lucky you!!! Go use it. If not, try my secret mantra.

MY SECRET MANTRA TO FABULOUS HAIR

After having oiled your hair for about 30 min, take 2 wet towels. Roll one and put it in the microwave. Micro it for 2 to 2.5 minutes, take it out and wrap it around your scalp and hair, turban style. Meanwhile, microwave the 2nd towel. When the 1st cools , remove it and microwave it again while you have put the second hot towel on your hair. Repeat the process for about 10 min and then shampoo. Voila, you have soft, silky hair after a home hair spa.

Oiling can be done once a week or at least once a month to nourish and pamper your tresses.

On normal shampoo days, when you don't precondition, use a good conditioner at the ends of your hair.  Massage it into your hair and leave for 2 to 5 minutes. Then rinse off. If your tresses are too dry or untamed, you can use a leave in conditioner or serum, applied at the ends after towel drying.

Diet plays a major role in keeping your hair healthy. Foods like  eggs, peanuts, almonds, wheat bran, salmon, avocados ,low fat cheese ,spinach, bell peppers, lentils and sweet potatoes will all work towards giving  you lustrous locks.

On a bad hair day, either tie them or apply talcum powder on your scalp. It acts like a dry shampoo. Just rub it in well and then brush it out so that it is not visible. This is my quickfix when I have oily hair and don't have a dry shampoo at hand.

When blowdrying, protect from very direct heat. You can use heat protecting serums. To give a natural bounce to your hair, blow dry them inside out, with your head down. It works!!

Blow dry your hair in the opposite direction from your parting, let cool and then let them fall in position. For a casual, "just there" type beach waves, when your hair are half dry, just scrunge them between your fingers and let loose. Repeat and let them air dry. you,ll love the results!

 For professional setting of hair, one can use various products like mousse, spray, gel, wax etc. But that will be another blog. For now, just go and bowl everyone over with that gorgeous mane.

 HOME MADE HAIR PACKS FOR ALL HAIR TYPES

For normal hair  -     Whole egg, yogurt, lemon, honey 

For dry hair      -        Egg yolk, yogurt, honey, olive oil

              For oily hair      -      Egg white, lemon, yogurt

 Mix the above and apply on scalp and hair for 20-30 minutes.

 Wash off and shampoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!