I really discovered all the uses for olive oil last year while living in Spain (where olive trees are EVERYWHERE!!). It is believed that the use of olive oil for health and beauty goes back to Bible times; many scholars believe that when Queen Esther underwent six months of intensive beauty treatments, olive oil would have been a main ingredient in the whole process. Personally, if it was good enough for the people of the Bible, it's good enough for me! I love that olive oil is all natural- no harsh chemicals, fragrances, animal cruelty, and it's usually a pretty safe item for fair-trade shopping. Here are some of my favorite ways to integrate olive oil into my beauty regime:
1. As a moisturizer! I have mentioned in several previous blogs that I suffer from dry skin, but even some oily-skin users have testified to the benefits of olive oil. My personal preference is to mix some olive oil with just a few drops of tea-tree oil before applying it like I would any other lotion. The catch is that your skin will be a bit oily afterwards- I usually like to wait until just before bed to apply it so it doesn't stain my clothes, and so it has time to soak into my skin overnight while I'm in bed under a warm blanket!
2. As a scar/stretch mark fader! It's a slow process, but olive oil has a great track record of fading old and new scars and stretch marks. I've definitely noticed an improvement since I started using it- it's like a moisturizer and a fader all mixed into one! The best part is that olive oil is FAR less expensive than fancy storebought faders (or surgeries!!) AND it doesn't cause further breakouts or rashes which could result in more scarring.
3. As a hair masque! I usually do this treatment every other week or so during the winter months, when my hair and scalp are parched! I take about two teaspoons and apply it right to my scalp, and then massage it for about ten minutes straight (yes, your arms get tired!) and then wrap my hair in a towel for another 10-20 minutes before washing it in hot water (sometimes it takes two shampoos to get all the oil out). Some other women have told me they cover all their hair, from root to tip, in oil, but with my thick hair it's just too much of a pain to work it all in and then try to wash it out! But it really soothes my scalp and brings the frizzies and split ends under control!
4. As a styling serum! This is one that I personally haven't tried, but some women with coarser or curlier hair might enjoy it. Just rub a few drops of olive oil between your palms and then work your hands through your hair to smooth it and eliminate static build up!
5. As a primer! I normally use Arbonne makeup primer and love it, but on days when my face feels dry and I don't plan to do a full makeover, I like to apply just a bit of olive oil to my face and lightly blot it with a tissue before I apply my foundation- it moisturizes, helps my acne scars fade, and it sets the makeup and gives it a more even tone! This might not be a good idea for those who deal with oily skin, but if you deal with dry skin it works great!!
As a fair warning, olive oil can be messy and it STAINS- be careful not to use it when you already have your best dress on or you're standing on a nice carpet. That being said, experiment a bit on your own with olive oil and see what it does for you!
Showing posts with label dry hair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dry hair. Show all posts
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Beauty Tip: Winter Hair Care
Winter Hair Care (Taken from my writing.com account)
If you live in an area where the winters are long and cold, you are probably familiar with the bad hair days that come with the snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Many men and women complain of flaky scalps, split ends, and enough static electricity to light up New York City in their hair!
Many factors play into dry winter hair. People who naturally experience dry skin are vulnerable to begin with. Freezing temperatures cause the amount natural moisture in the air to drop, and we often combat the cold with old-school heating systems that pump out dry, dusty air! Our bodies might think we are on a frozen tundra, but it’s no wonder our hair acts like we are living in a desert!
In the battle of elements vs. hair, moisture is our greatest defense. Here are some important steps we can take to make sure we are giving our hair the moisture and TLC it needs during the harsh winter months:
1. Cut back on shampooing!
Unless you have extremely oily hair (the roots look greasy and hair feels slimy 12-24 hours after shampooing), hair should NEVER be shampooed daily! Shampoo gets your hair clean, but it will also strip your hair and scalp of nature’s best moisturizer: your own natural oils! Only shampoo if your hair and scalp are starting to look oily, or if your hair has been exposed to something that needs to be washed out right away (such as excessive hairspray or cigarette smoke). Some people may need to shampoo every 48 hours, others might only need to wash once or twice a week. You may be able to hold off shampooing an extra day by applying translucent face powder to your roots if they look just a touch oily.
2. Crank up the conditioning!
Condition your hair every time you shower, even if you don’t shampoo! For an extra-deep conditioning, rinse hair with warm water, apply conditioner from roots to tips, and then wrap a towel around your head for 30 minutes. The warm water will open your scalp pores, and the towel will hold in your body heat so the conditioner can really sink in! When time is up, remove the towel and rinse your hair in water as cold as you can stand it to close up your pores and lock in the conditioning treatment!
*Extra tip: if you are a swimmer, shampoo your hair and apply conditioner before swimming and cover it with a swim cap. Rinse the conditioner out after your workout to avoid washing away your natural oils and protect your tresses from pool chemicals.
3. Give your hair a monthly protein treatment!
You can shop around your local salons to have this done professionally, or you can do it yourself! Just blend three eggs with a teaspoon of lemon juice, and apply after washing your hair from root to tip. Wrap hair in a towel for 15-30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Wash the towel IMMEDIATELY and disinfect any surfaces that raw eggs have touched.
4. Choose low-maintenance hairstyles!
Hairdryers and heated styling tools can accelerate dryness, and buildup of hairspray and other products can make frequent shampooing more necessary. Try to stick with hairstyles that require a minimum amount of effort, and when you do use heat on your hair, make sure to spray it with a heat-protectant, first!
5. Carry the dryer sheet!
The old classic “rub your comb over a dryer sheet and comb your hair with it” really makes a huge difference! Use the dryer sheet to fend off static in your hair.
Above all else, remember that everyone has bad hair days, especially in the winter months! Use these tips to help minimize those periods, and, when all else fails, throw on a cute hat to stay warm!
*This is from my own personal writing.com account- I AM the author and have all the rights to this article!
If you live in an area where the winters are long and cold, you are probably familiar with the bad hair days that come with the snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Many men and women complain of flaky scalps, split ends, and enough static electricity to light up New York City in their hair!
Many factors play into dry winter hair. People who naturally experience dry skin are vulnerable to begin with. Freezing temperatures cause the amount natural moisture in the air to drop, and we often combat the cold with old-school heating systems that pump out dry, dusty air! Our bodies might think we are on a frozen tundra, but it’s no wonder our hair acts like we are living in a desert!
In the battle of elements vs. hair, moisture is our greatest defense. Here are some important steps we can take to make sure we are giving our hair the moisture and TLC it needs during the harsh winter months:
1. Cut back on shampooing!
Unless you have extremely oily hair (the roots look greasy and hair feels slimy 12-24 hours after shampooing), hair should NEVER be shampooed daily! Shampoo gets your hair clean, but it will also strip your hair and scalp of nature’s best moisturizer: your own natural oils! Only shampoo if your hair and scalp are starting to look oily, or if your hair has been exposed to something that needs to be washed out right away (such as excessive hairspray or cigarette smoke). Some people may need to shampoo every 48 hours, others might only need to wash once or twice a week. You may be able to hold off shampooing an extra day by applying translucent face powder to your roots if they look just a touch oily.
2. Crank up the conditioning!
Condition your hair every time you shower, even if you don’t shampoo! For an extra-deep conditioning, rinse hair with warm water, apply conditioner from roots to tips, and then wrap a towel around your head for 30 minutes. The warm water will open your scalp pores, and the towel will hold in your body heat so the conditioner can really sink in! When time is up, remove the towel and rinse your hair in water as cold as you can stand it to close up your pores and lock in the conditioning treatment!
*Extra tip: if you are a swimmer, shampoo your hair and apply conditioner before swimming and cover it with a swim cap. Rinse the conditioner out after your workout to avoid washing away your natural oils and protect your tresses from pool chemicals.
3. Give your hair a monthly protein treatment!
You can shop around your local salons to have this done professionally, or you can do it yourself! Just blend three eggs with a teaspoon of lemon juice, and apply after washing your hair from root to tip. Wrap hair in a towel for 15-30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Wash the towel IMMEDIATELY and disinfect any surfaces that raw eggs have touched.
4. Choose low-maintenance hairstyles!
Hairdryers and heated styling tools can accelerate dryness, and buildup of hairspray and other products can make frequent shampooing more necessary. Try to stick with hairstyles that require a minimum amount of effort, and when you do use heat on your hair, make sure to spray it with a heat-protectant, first!
5. Carry the dryer sheet!
The old classic “rub your comb over a dryer sheet and comb your hair with it” really makes a huge difference! Use the dryer sheet to fend off static in your hair.
Above all else, remember that everyone has bad hair days, especially in the winter months! Use these tips to help minimize those periods, and, when all else fails, throw on a cute hat to stay warm!
*This is from my own personal writing.com account- I AM the author and have all the rights to this article!
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