Flat Iron Techniques That Produce Salon Quality Results

Typically when we think of a flat iron we think of only hair straightening. However, with the right technique a flat iron can also be used to flip and curl your hair. The key is to have a flat iron with plates that are as close to 1" inch as possible and if your hair is short then even smaller.

To begin you need to ensure that your flat iron is best suited for your hair type. If your hair is hard to straighten then a titanium product like the BabylissPro Nano Titanium might be the right choice. Alternatively, if your hair is finer and not as difficult to straighten then a tourmaline product may be the way to go. This however does not mean that you have to go out and buy a new flat iron if you already have one; instead try adjusting the heat with higher settings for thick hair and vice versa.

Next you need to apply a thermal heat styling product. This serves as a protective barrier between the hot plates and your hair. Without it you run the risk of damaging your hair, which can lead to drying and breakage. There are numerous products available so find one that you really like. If you are still looking then you might try the Miracle Leave-In product by 'It's a 10'. This is a great choice as it is a flat iron spray, thermal protector and stops breakage while adding shine.

Lastly before we get started a few important tips. You should never flat iron your hair when it is dirty. The best results come from freshly washed hair that is dry. Although, it does not make much difference whether you blow dry your hair or let it dry naturally. Yet, blow drying does have the risk of damaging your hair as well.

1. Hair Straightening

The first thing you need to do is brush or comb through your hair and then place it into sections. The easiest and fastest way is to grab the hair at the top of the head twist it around and place in a clip. Secondly, section across the upper part of your ears and again twist it around and place in a clip. This will leave all the hair from your ears down to the back of the neck out and ready for straightening. You should always start from the bottom working your way up so that you finish off with the top part of the head last.

Now comb through the section that is left out again. This is important because if there are tangles the hair will not be able to smoothly pass through the plates causing snagging and pulling. If your hair is very curly or frizzy you will need to comb each section prior to running the flat iron across it. Next grab a portion of the hair approximately 1" inch across and place the flat iron as close to the root as possible making sure that you do not burn your scalp. Generally, about a ¼ inch away from the scalp is best and try not to take too much hair through the flat iron at one time. Salon results come from smaller amounts of hair where each strand is able to glide evenly between the plates.

Now that you have a section of hair between the plates start pulling the flat iron through. You should not be squeezing the plates together really hard. The goal is to allow the hair to freely glide between the plates. If this is not happening you may have too much hair that you are trying to pull through at once - try dividing your section in half.

The next and most important part is the speed at which you are pulling the flat iron through your hair. If you are pulling too quickly you will not get the results that you want and if you are pulling too slowly you run the risk of damaging your hair. A good rule of thumb when you are first learning is to count out loud "one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three" and move the flat iron according to this speed. If your hair is extremely curly and harder to straighten then slow this speed down just a little. When you get to the end of the hair hold it just slightly longer. This will ensure that you get perfectly clean edges.

2. Flipping

Hair flipping, or sometimes referred to as flicking, is a great way to get some movement on the ends of the hair. Whether you flip the hair inward or outward does not change the technique only the rotation of the wrist.

To begin you follow all of the same steps as outlined in the straightening section. You want to ensure that you start at the root so that the rest of the hair is smooth and silky with the flip being only on the ends. Remember to pull through smaller sections and count out loud to maintain an adequate speed. When you get closer to the ends turn your wrist either inward or outward forcing the hair now to glide through the plates at an angle. Remember movement of the hair happens according to where the heated plates are; so the more you turn your wrist the stronger the flip.

The secret to a perfect flip is to slow the speed down slightly, while continuing to turn the wrist. The most important thing is to have continuous movement almost like you are walking through the hair, but don't let go of the tension between the plates at this will leave marks in the hair (they almost look like lines and you don't want that). The movement is steady with an even tension at a slow speed.

3. Curling

Curling the hair with a flat iron is probably the most difficult technique to master. However, once you get the hang of it you will see that it really isn't that hard. Again you will begin with the same steps as outlined in the straightening section. Then you need to decide where you would like to place the curls. Do you want tight curls starting from the top of the head or loose wavy curls that start about half way down. It is a good idea to begin at the root of the hair as this will ensure an overall polished look rather than just starting where you want the curl.

Section the hair as indicated previously taking approximately 1" inch and placing it in between the plates. Now when you want to begin the curl turn the flat iron either inward or outward, depending on the direction of the curl that you want, and start rolling it with the hair loosely around it. Remember you want the flat iron to be constantly moving so you are rolling it in the palm of your hand, while the hair is evenly going through the plates. The tighter you hold the hair and roll the flat iron the tighter the curls. Do not pull on the hair or hold it between the plates for a long period of time. If your hair is harder to curl you will need to hold it slightly longer, but not more than two seconds.

In closing, remember to always use a thermal protector on your hair. This is imperative to ensure that no damage is done during this process. Also, try to match the flat iron to your specific hair type or work with the heat setting to get optimal results. These techniques take a little bit of time to master, but once you get it you will have beautiful salon quality styles that last.

Fashion and Sustainability

The universe of textiles is globally complex and extremely polluting. Converting fibres to fabrics requires a massive amount of energy, water, chemicals and land. There is also a considerable amount of waste and emissions in the life cycle stages of production. The pollution is often unregulated and the impact is felt globally. These impacts start at the factory and continue as the garment is shipped, used and finally thrown away. Understanding the sustainability of fabric manufacturing is critical to protect our wonderful planet Earth.

In order to be truly sustainable, designers must take into account the social and economic factors that impact the cultural diversity of a given society in the region where they are working and reawaken a new respect for clothing. The manufacturers and the people who make our clothes are often underpaid and victims of social injustice. They are the precious threads of culture that could unravel if not considered.

There has been a shift in our society from mindless to mindful consumption Consumers across the globe are becoming more concerned about how their purchases affect the overall health and environment of our precious planet Earth and the people who inhabit it.

Building a new vision for fashion where sustainability is the highest priority is critical to our understanding of awareness and responsibility to our environment. Provoke, nurture and inspire people in a radically new and different direction. Re-imagine new ways to do business through a series of ground breaking collaborations. Imagine an industry using eco-clothing and textiles.

Eco-clothing textiles are those that inspire and communicate with the environment. We should mend, make do and repair. Remix and transform unwanted and obsolete garments through customization. Dismantle and reuse textiles from unused clothing. Explore the future of fashion by embracing repair and re-engaging communities in collaborations for repair. I believe fashion of the future will have an emotional resonance. Few of us really need more of anything, so we will be looking for items that will touch us in some way. These are the deeply rooted vehicles of our identity. Progressive consumers that are passionate towards sustainable solutions are our thread towards a cleaner and less toxic environment for our future.

Designers fashion is more then just clothes, it reflects the way we choose to live our lives. Clothes are signs, symbols and expressions of our culture. They represent the way we feel about politics, activism and pleasure. Help build a new vision where fashion and clothing are fused with awareness and responsibility.

This article is brought to you by FREE PERSONALS.

Footwear Guide for Stylish Women

Stylish women not only wear impeccable clothes, but have a great overall look from head to toe. They've got the right hairstyle, clothes, accessories, and, of course, shoes. Looking fantastic right down to your feet means that you don't miss out on any detail when it comes to style and grooming. It may be quite challenging to select the perfect pair of shoes to wear every time you go out. You shouldn't just think of the season, the trend, and the occasion. You also have to think about your comfort. So here are some tips on how to find the right flats, pumps, sandals, and boots when shopping.

Flats are on your must-haves in your closet. You can wear this versatile pear any season. Depending on the color and details of your flats, you can wear them to make a chic daytime outfit or a comfy but trendy nighttime wear. You can choose from the ballerina, the really pointed one, or the pair that has tassels or metal accents. There are even those made of metallic fabric or with colored jewels that can make your shirt and jeans look really hot even at night.

Another staple in a woman's wardrobe should be black pumps. Heels make everyone's legs and posture better-looking and can be worn with almost any outfit. They're perfect for the office and for cocktail parties. You shouldn't wear heels all the time, though. Always have a pair of flats with you. Keep them in your office, purse, or car, so you can change into them when your feet are tired from your pumps.

Sandals also make your legs look better. But you should save them for wearing during the warmer periods of the year. They really look fabulous when worn with a maxi dress or a flowing skirt. And remember that stylish women always keep their feet and toes clean, particularly when showing them off in sandals. If you're wearing nail polish, make sure that it doesn't have any cracks.

Boots aren't limited anymore for wearing in winter. You can wear shorter ones, like ankle boots, at any time of the year, as long as you're comfortable with them. Boots can be worn with shorts, jeans, leggings, or skirts of any length. However, when wearing ankle boots with your skirt, you should wear opaque tights.

Knowing these basic tips about footwear fashion can make a big difference in your shopping and in your whole wardrobe. These will also help you decide on what shoe to wear with what outfit everyday.

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Tips for Happy Living - Managing Your Morning and Evening Routines

As a working mom it is very important that you set up routines for yourself and your household. Routines allow you to know what's going on at that particular moment so that you will not forget anything. Routines prepare you for the next day and help you move faster and more coherently than flying around looking for this and that item.

At one point my morning routine consisted of me waking up (late, cause I'm always trying to get more sleep). Rushing to take a shower, trying to figure out what I'm going to where, make breakfast (ha!! yeah right), making sure my husband is up so he can take the little one to school. Lastly, I'm racing out the house to catch the bus so that I can make it to work on time. Does any of this sound remotely familiar? I even bet the rest of your day you are unfocused, handling a million task at once trying to get it all done so you can get off from work to race home to pick up your children from daycare, come up with something to eat (preferably something that takes 30 minutes or less), watch your favorite shows, help kids with homework, go to bed so you can lay there thinking about all that you did not accomplish for the day (and tomorrow). To be honest this is a waste of time and there is a better way to manage your morning and evening routine.

3 Steps to Manage Your Routines Better

1. The first step is to think about what are the things you do every single morning and every single evening. For example, in my wild routine every morning I wake up late (keep hitting that snooze button) so I now have to rush to get ready so that I can catch my bus. I never know what I'm going to where, so that put me behind as well. These things will never change.
2. The second step is to figure out what will help make those steps easier. If I knew what I was wearing to work that morning that would decrease the time it takes for me to get ready in the morning significantly. I can spend about 10 - 20 minutes trying to figure out what I'm going to where. But if I already know, then it only takes 10 minutes to put the clothes on.
3. The third step is to take action. What I started to do was think about my outfit for tomorrow the night before. Actually this starts at the beginning of the week. On Sunday I get a vague idea of what I will where for the week so that I can think about my outfit the night before.

These are 3 simple steps to help you manage your evening and morning routines better. But keep in mind one thing, Flexibility. It's important that you don't get too attached to your routine that if change happens to occur it ruins your entire routine. A perfect example of this is instead of my husband taking my little one to school, I must do it because his schedule has changed. So I have to adjust my routine to allow for the time to get my little one ready as well so we both aren't running around crazy.

Having a more relaxed routine can help you tremendously. The major reward is seeing how much time you can actually skim off of your morning and evening so you can do more with family, friends, and yourself.

Do you have routines? Do you manage them well? Share with us below.

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1 Little Fruit That Is the Secret to Curing Your PMS

For many women, PMS can strike like a thunder bolt in your sleep. It disrupts your life and viciously continues its wrath of fury for countless generations in women's families. In addition, for some generations of women in families, cysts and fibroids are a continuing curse.

These issues have plagued millions of women probably since the dawn of time and continue its fury while many suffer feeling hopelessness. I realized through my experimentation that the types of food that are eaten at least a few days before and during your expected cycle makes a significant difference in how you feel during this time.

The types of foods also apparently makes a vast difference in how you look as well because many women experience acne breakouts on the chin during menstruation time. According to the Old Chinese Western Medicine Principle, acne on the chin signifies that there are reproductive (hormonal) issues at bay in the body.

Well, there is good and great news. Which one do you want first? The good news is that there is an all-natural substance, in the form of a fruit, that will alleviate PMS symptoms like bloating, nausea, and cramps. The great news is that this food is dirt cheap and with continual incorporation into your diet, will reduce your chance of developing fibroids or cysts.

This amazing food is dried apricots! You can find them in many stores, but it is important to use only the unsulphured version that does not have additional sugar added. Natural health food stores will carry these types or you may contact your favorite supermarket manager and request he or she bring in unsulphured dried apricots with no sugar added. Be sure to only eat 1 serving of it as it is sugary and calorie dense but it has a wealth of vitamins that will help ease PMS pain.

After eating the serving of apricots, be sure to drink at least a glass of lukewarm water behind it to dilute some of the sugar and hydrate yourself. Water is a PMS-ing girls best friend. It is a good idea to eat a serving of dried apricots starting at least 3 days before your expected menstrual cycle and the first two days while you are on it. Remember to drink a lot of water during the days before and during the first two days on your cycle to reduce bloating and help the apricots absorb better into the body.

What about fresh apricots? These are nice fruits to add into your diet, but it is preferable to have apricots dried in this specific situation because they are more concentrated in nutrients than fresh apricots by the serving size. Generally speaking, you do not want to eat mostly dried fruits because they are very dense in calories and sugar with little hydration factor that fresh fruit offers. Fresh is best, but in this case dried will be better.

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