The right hairstyle for you
Tired of trying out different hairstyles and coming up with ghastly results? Many of us don’t realize that only a particular kind of style will go well with our facial structure.

The right way, say stylists, is to find what works with the structure of the face and looks flattering. A flattering hairstyle can be the most important single factor in your appearance. Not only does it tell about your character, it balances your body, frames your face and complements your clothes and lifestyle. A really professional haircut is a valuable investment, because it will make you feel good as well as look good.

When choosing a new hairstyle you should look carefully at the shape of your face.

What kind of face do you have?

Oval Face:

If you have an oval face, you are lucky, as any style will suit you. A long face is best complemented by short hair that is quite full, with a fringe. Don’t go for a severe long hairdo that will only make your face look longer.

Round Face
If you have a round face, you should aim to add length. If you don’t want long hair, part your hair on the side or add fullness on top. Avoid a neat bob with a fringe. A round face gives an overall appearance of roundness. A full face is flattered by a short, layered cut. The top of the head should be given a ‘long’ look with a layered, curly style, extending to the back. If making a topknot, get a lot of elongated tendrils out. That balances your face. A lot of volume to the hair will give it a flat look. A severe, tied back style also makes the face look rounder. Avoid it.

Square Face
A wide forehead and square jawbone means you have a square face. A style with the hair 2.5 cm, or so below the chin sits pretty on a square face. If your hair is thick or wavy, you can go all one length. With straight or fine hair, you can opt for a slight angle in the front. Don’t go in for bobs. Blunt clipped bangs are also not recommended because they would emphasize the square ness of your face. All a square face needs is a little softening if the jaw line is too heavy. Draw the attention away from the jaw with a diagonal fringe forward from the hairline and around the ears if you wear your hair up, or long loose hair with a bit of bounce below chin level.

Heart Shape

A Heart shaped face is also easy to flatter. All you need to do is avoid a heavy slab of fringe that will make your face into a triangle. A softer fringe will help. Try a soft fringe too for a high forehead, or try a very heavy fringe that stars quite a way back is ‘V’ – shaped, with the point of the ‘V’ in the center of your forehead. If you have a receding or double chin, you need to draw attention away from it. Your hair will look best either piled to the top and back of your head, to balance the chin, or hanging loose to hide it. A large nose needs a short, fluffy style anything sleek or straight will only over-emphasize it.

Long Face :

A long, thin face with a narrow chin is oblong. A short, perky bob will go very nicely with your kind of looks. It should be short at the back and the angled chin length, in the front. Wearing it with a side parting, with bangs brushed to the side, rounds out an oblong face. A longer bob, about five-cm, below the chin, will also look good on this kind of face. Layered hair will not suit you at all. Long hair, too, makes the face seems lengthier.

Great Things about Short Hair

• Blunt Cutting

• Clippers

• Graduated hair

• Layering

• Slide cutting

• Razor cutting

Short hair shows you are a woman on the move – cool, confident, in control, and too busy to spend hours fussing with your hair. A dramatic cut shows that you are happy to take new challenges.

Five great things about short hair.

1. Short hair look attractive. It allows a man to see you and your personality.

2. Well cut short hair emphasizes femininity, especially if you get chunky layers and softness cut into the style.

3. Your hair looks thicker and glossier. Shorter hair looks healthier as the hair is newer than the dull, damaged ends of longer hair. Its a good option for people with fine hair.

4. Its easy to manage. Its like a great dress – you just step into it and go.

5. You can look younger. The straight line of long hair emphasize wrinkles, but the softer shape of short hair makes them less obvious.

Common Dos and Don’ts:

• Don’t use any old rubber band just to keep hair off the face. Rubber bands tend to break or split hair. Instead just use a scrunchy or a fabric coated elastic band.

• Don’t brush wet hair too harshly because its three times weaker and more likely to break off mid strand. Towel dry hair first, then gently detangle using a wide tooth comb.

Don’t suds up more than once unless your hair is extremely greasy else it’ll become too dry and frizzy. Oil hair before every wash. Massage oil well into the scalp and keep for a minimum of half-hour. This keeps your scalp nourished and conditioned.

Excessive use of conditioner can your hair and cause split ends. Protect from over conditioning.

In general, cool skin and eye tones are best complemented with cool or ’ash’ shades. Warm, golden skin and eye tones look most natural with warm hair colors. Any color can be warm or cool, depending on its primary base.

Natural colors
If you prefer a natural look, stick with a few shades of your natural hair color. Go a bit lighter or darker. Also, the farther you move away from your natural hair color, the more obvious your roots will be as they grow out.

As for color categories, temporary wash-out, semi-permanent shades slowly fade in four to six weeks and permanent colors are just there. So, if you’re certain you like the color, only then choose a permanent one.

The condition of your hair also matters. If your hair is premed or relaxed, semi-permanent color is an advantageous choice because it’s gentler on hair that’s been previously exposed to chemicals.

The semi-permanent or long-lasting semi-permanent colors – the newest color category, combine gentleness with long- lasting shades providing one of the best choices. And if you’re just experimenting, sheer or slightly tinted color glossers add a healthy sheen and shine without noticeably altering your natural color.

Read hair color instructions carefully, if you’ve made a mistake, don’t hide under a hat for months. Salons have color removers that take you right back to where you started, where hopefully, history won’t repeat itself.

Understanding basic hair coloring
Most unwanted hair color disasters are due to the lack of understanding of the basic hair “laws” of color and application.

Rules of hair color
Hair color is not hair paint. Color as we perceive it, is actually the reflection of light of the colored pigments in the hair shaft. This reflection is what we see as color.

The shade of color is made of different combinations of reflections of light off the colored pigments. This is why hair color appears different under fluorescent lights than is natural sunlight whether it is natural color or from a bottle.

Types of hair color
There are several types of hair color: Permanent hair color.
This makes a permanent change in the pigment of the hair shaft. It does not wash out. It will fade in time, but it cannot be simply removed to bring back your natural color. All hair that has been colored in this manner has the natural color pigments irreversibly chemically altered. The ’altered’ hairshaft pigments can be ’correctively colored’ back close to the original color.

Single process color
Single process means that the color is lifted and deposited in one step.

Semi-permanent
This type can cover grey and goes darker but cannot lighten. It lasts for varying lengths of time depending on the product.

Deposit only color
This ’deposits’ color into the hair. There are many varieties in the market for the home user.

These are user-friendly and usually condition and color in one step. Glazes or translucent colors are among the easiest to start with. Most use very low peroxide to activate them.

Do your homework before you color
You must be perfectly honest to yourself before venturing into this exercise and study the facts about hair coloring. If you are very dark-haired and want to be a blonde, forget home coloring.

Always do a strand test
A strand test is the only reliable way to preview the new shade. At this time adjustments can be made to the hair color formula by either adding or subtracting colors to enhance or cancel different undertones in the test strands.

Do not be afraid of doing more than one test strand and always do it on uncloured hair. The length of time that the color mixture is left on can also be varied to change results. Always thoroughly dry the test strand to check for proper color and breakage/damage. Do not attempt to color hair that has had henna or metallic dyes used on it.

The right way, say stylists, is to find what works with the structure of the face and looks flattering. A flattering hairstyle can be the most important single factor in your appearance. Not only does it tell about your character, it balances your body, frames your face and complements your clothes and lifestyle. A really professional haircut is a valuable investment, because it will make you feel good as well as look good.

When choosing a new hairstyle you should look carefully at the shape of your face.

What kind of face do you have?

Oval Face

If you have an oval face, you are lucky, as any style will suit you. A long face is best complemented by short hair that is quite full, with a fringe. Don’t go for a severe long hairdo that will only make your face look longer.

Round Face

If you have a round face, you should aim to add length. If you don’t want long hair, part your hair on the side or add fullness on top. Avoid a neat bob with a fringe. A round face gives an overall appearance of roundness. A full face is flattered by a short, layered cut. The top of the head should be given a ‘long’ look with a layered, curly style, extending to the back. If making a topknot, get a lot of elongated tendrils out. That balances your face. A lot of volume to the hair will give it a flat look. A severe, tied back style also makes the face look rounder. Avoid it.

Square Face

A wide forehead and square jawbone means you have a square face. A style with the hair 2.5 cm, or so below the chin sits pretty on a square face. If your hair is thick or wavy, you can go all one length. With straight or fine hair, you can opt for a slight angle in the front. Don’t go in for bobs. Blunt-clipped bangs are also not recommended because they would emphasize the squareness of your face. All a square face needs is a little softening if the jawline is too heavy. Draw the attention away from the jaw with a diagonal fringe forward from the hairline and around the ears if you wear your hair up, or long loose hair with a bit of bounce below chin level.

Heart Shape

A Heart shaped face is also easy to flatter. All you need to do is avoid a heavy slab of fringe that will make your face into a triangle. A softer fringe will help. Try a soft fringe too for a high forehead, or try a very heavy fringe that stars quite a way back ans is ’V’ – shaped, with the point of the ’V’ in the centre of your forehead. If you have a receding or double chin, you need to draw attention away from it. Your hair will look best either piled to the top and back of your head, to balance the chin, or hanging loose to hide it. A large nose needs a short, fluffy style-anything sleek or straight will only over-emphasize it.

Oblong Face

A long, thin face with a narrow chin is oblong. A short, perky bob will go very nicely with your kind of looks. It should be short at the back and the angled chin length, in the front. Wearing it with a side parting, with bangs brushed to the side, rounds out an oblong face. A longer bob, about five-cm, below the chin, will also look good on this kind of face. Layered hair will not suit you at all. Long hair, too, makes the face seems lengthier.

Are you feeling drab and think a new hair color would brighten you up? Are you getting a little too much gray shining through? Have you considered dyeing your own hair?

Ask any expert and they’ll tell you “don’t try this at home” but, depending on just what you want to do, it can be done safely and with good results at home.

Of course there are some things you’ll need to keep in mind to be successful and one of the first is choosing a color. If you are looking for a very specific color and care about the outcome, go to a professional. Don’t think that your hair will turn out exactly the color that’s shown on the side of the box.

Knowing the color on both your own hair and in the box is an important part of coloring. If you know how a color wheel and the principles of color work, you can apply those principles to hair coloring. If you’re dark-haired, you can’t go blonde with a box color. If you’re planning anything drastic, don’t try it at home or you’ll end up spending much more money on corrective coloring at a salon.

Trying to change golden blonde hair to ash brown could result in green hair. Remember that color wheel and find someone who understands how it works.

You should be able to find a good selection of products at your local drug or department store. There are no special guidelines to choosing one. You might remember a specific brand from commercials or another brand may be on sale.

Keep in mind if you choose a “permanent” hair color, it will last until you cut it out or until a professional recolor for you. “Semi-permanents” will wash out or fade in four to six weeks. Some “semi-permanents” will last through a specific number of shampoos.

Before applying the color, read the directions included in the package and follow them. That will include doing a patch test to test a bit of both the color and developer on your skin to make sure there are no allergic reactions. This is especially important if you’ve never put chemicals on your hair before. Do the strand test as well. Cut a small piece of hair out of the back where it won’t show and test it.

If you’re touching up a color already on your hair, apply color to the re-growth—your roots—first. Apply through your ends for the last five or ten minutes of processing if the color on the ends has lightened. Applying the color to all the hair for the full time will result in your ends getting darker and darker. Applying it for a shorter length of time than on the roots will simply freshen the color on those sections.

Wear gloves or you will have stained fingers. Plastic gloves are usually provided in the package. It’s also a good idea to apply some Vaseline or face cream on the skin near the hairline to prevent staining.

If you’re still worried about coloring your hair at home and really wish you could afford a professional hair color, you still have one more option. Look for a hairstyling school in your area. Schools have actual salons where students are trained and their rates are greatly reduced. Experienced instructors supervise students so you will get a professional color–with professional guidance–at reduced rates.

Whatever route you decide to take, proceed with caution, follow the directions and don’t try to be too drastic and your results should be pleasing to yourself and any professional stylist who happens to notice.

Always do a patch test before dying your hair. Apply a patch test under the back of your hair near your neck. This way if there is a reaction, it won’t be noticeable. This applies to bleaching and putting color in your hair.

Be sure and cut off all the dry ends of your hair first. This would be a good time to get a trim. The ends of your hair are porous, so cutting the ends keeps the color even.

Apply the bleach or dye on the roots of your hair first. This is the new growth which needs more penetration first. Then apply to the ends. Make sure that if bleaching your hair, you remove the color of your natural hair to almost white before putting on a toner. If you bring the color down to a red tone with the bleach and add a light blonde toner, you will have reddish blonde hair.

Dying the hair with haircoloring requires you to know that hair dye comes in colors such as red tones, gold tones and green tones. If you dyed your hair with a gold based dye and then dyed your hair with a green based dye, chances are your hair will turn green. The reason for this is you cannot mix dyes with different colored bases.

If not sure of the different dyes and which ones to use, find a beauty supply store and ask someone there, or call a beauty salon or visit your hairdresser.

If you do a patch test and have an allergic reaction, do not use the haircoloring or bleach. If you bleach or dye your hair and find breakage happening, stop immediately and wash your hair. Do not continue!

The first type is semi-permanent hair color. It does not contain peroxide, or ammonia. It doesn’t usually damage your hair. This type, ever so slightly, enhances your natural hair color. You can reasonably expect this type of product to cover up to 50% of your gray hair. The color lasts for 6-12 shampoos only.

The next type is demi-permanent hair coloring. It has a low peroxide level and no ammonia. So, it will not likely cause any damage to your hair. However, if it would happen to occur, it would be very minimal. It blends and covers your gray hair up to 80% approximately. It will last up to 24 shampoos. This type of hair coloring fades gradually all over.

The third type is permanent hair coloring. It usually contains both peroxide and ammonia. It covers gray hair the best. If you have resistant gray hair; treat those areas first. Leave it on as long as the manufacturer recommends for this particular problem. Permanent hair color can be used to lighten your natural hair color up to a couple of shades lighter. It does not wash out! The drawbacks to this type of coloring are that your hair can be damaged or you could be allergic to the harsh chemicals. Always read the precautions on the haircoloring kit or the enclosed instruction sheet precautions before using a product. It is very wise to do a strand test and an allergy test before coloring your hair.

I try to make sure the kit I’d like to purchase, (especially if it is a permanent hair coloring kit) has a conditioner included. It is worth paying alittle more extra money to have the special conditioner to apply to your hair immediately after using permanent hair coloring. You hair, most likely is damaged and needs the extra care. (Unless you like your hair to possibly feel like straw.) Permanent hair color grows out. You will definitely notice new hair growth signaling you to touch-up your roots. Touch-ups are recommended every 4-6 weeks. It depends on how quickly your hair grows.

There are panels or charts on most hair coloring kit boxes to help you imagine what color of hair your hair will be if using a particular shade. You must also take into account the color of your complexion. You want to choose an appropriate color to complement your features and coloring.

I have two final tidbits of advice. If you are pregnant or think that you are pregnant; ask your doctor if it is safe to color your hair. If you are a mature woman, remember to go a shade or two lighter as you gracefully age. It will make you look more youthful and elegant.

Hair can be lost to improper care and damage. If you over color your hair, over style it, or abuse it with irons and blow dryers too often, you could be in line for some major fall out. Hair shouldn’t be colored any more often than every six to eight weeks and you should avoid it altogether if possible. While hair coloring doesn’t make everyone’s hair fall out, it does do damage and you will have healthier hair if you don’t color it. Try not to stretch your hair into styles that require a lot of pulling like ponytails and braids and don’t pull on it when you brush it.

Proper nutrition is essential to good hair as is proper rest. Eat well, be sure to drink plenty of water and get enough calcium, which is important for healthy hair. Getting enough sleep is also important a to help your body function properly and maintain your hair’s normal facilities. Being ill can cause hair loss so if you keep your body tuned up and take good care of yourself to stay strong against illnesses, your hair will have a better chance.

Use a good conditioner each time you wash your hair and be sure to keep the split ends of your hair trimmed. Whenever possible, you should let your hair dry naturally instead of using a hairdryer, and try to find a style that does not require an iron Avoid wearing hats that can rub on your scalp causing bald patches.

Taking good care of your hair will reap its own rewards, remember, hair is like your fingernails and it must be treated gently if you want it to stick around!