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Green Beauty: Prepping Hair for Summer

Summer is the time where we go out to the beach to have fun under the sun. While you are out there having the time of your life, you may get distracted with the dryness of your beloved hair. Although being out on the beach during summer will give you an amazing time, your hair will surely be experiencing a hard one. The heat of the summer season will surely sap the life out of your amazing tresses. Because of this, you must put extra care for your hair during this season. In fact, it would be best that you start prepping your hair even before summer comes. Most people have no idea how to do this but for your information, getting your hair summer-ready is quite an easy thing to do!

• Moisturize! We all know that the summer heat can certainly dry out your hair. As a result, it will end up dry and frizzy. If you wish to avoid this, you should try and moisturize a few weeks or months before summertime. Incorporate the use of a leave-in conditioner in your daily hair care routine. Aside from that, try to deep condition and make use of hair masks as well. Such treatments can help in preventing damage through protecting and coating the hair shaft. These elements will pose as a protective barrier between your hair and the outside elements. If you wish to make use of a natural leave-in hair rinse, try to make use of the tea rinse which is made of Chamomile, Calendula or Green Tea. It will not only help in protecting your hair from the sun, it also has this amazing effect of soothing and cooling your scalp. Just what you need after a long day under the sun.
• Shy away from using heating appliances. Women love to style their hair by using different types of heating appliances such as blow dryer, flat iron, curling iron and much more. Although this can help make your hair look extremely gorgeous, the heat from these appliances can certainly dry out your hair. This is why you must take a rest from using all these appliances a few months before summertime so that your hair will be ready to combat the dryness that summertime may bring.
• Trim your hair. During summertime, your hair is prone to split ends and breakage. If you wish to prevent it, it would be best that you cut your hair short and seal it ends for double protection.
• Make use of a natural oil treatment. Today, there are lots of wonderful natural oils that you can use to treat your hair-- Jojoba, Macadamia Nut, Aloe Vera, Coconut as well as Sesame Oil. These oils do not just help in moisturizing your hair, it also provides UV protection as these are known natural sunscreen agents.
• Eat Healthy. You might think that there is no relationship between what you eat and how you look. Sorry to say but the saying--'you are what you eat' is quite true. This is why if you want to have a healthy hair, you must eat healthy as well.

Have an adventurous summer!

About the Author:

Sarah del Rosario is a beauty and lifestyle blogger from The Thrifty Senyorita. Aside from writing, she is also fond of painting and DIY crafts. She juggles all of these hobbies and never forgets that she is a wife to her husband and a mother to her little Blake. Currently. She is collaborating with Hair Booth, one the trusted online shops of Muk products in sharing tips about hair care and trends.

Green Beauty: Fighting Dry Hair

Summer! It’s of the most wonderful time of the year next to Christmas. Girls are busy shopping for bikinis, while boys are checking out on what water sports to try. Mom and dad are busy looking for an affordable vacation package, while the entire office is excited for their “all expense paid by the boss” outing. Really, tis’ the season to be jolly.

But don’t forget, summer is all about dry climate, dry skin, and dry hair.. Uh oh. So before you head out to your destination and have a little fun under the sun, please take note of these five treatments on how to prevent hair dryness this summer. Of course you don’t want to go back to work with a dry frizzy hair do you?

Fighting Hair Dryness this Summer Starts with Five Treatments

• Sun Protection Concoction. Whenever you go searching for a perfect sunscreen lotion for your skin, don’t forget to purchase one for your hair as well.. Your hair needs it as much as your skin does. There are hair sprays or leave on conditioner that works as coating each layer of your hair and shielding it from the harmful UV rays. You’d certainly need this product since you’d be walking on the shores for an extended period of time. It’s much better if you can also wear oversized hat.
• Anti Split Ends Serum/Cream. This will avoid nasty split ends caused by extreme heat. But to help its efficacy, you must avoid combing your hair after sun exposure. And for the meantime stay away from blow dry and curling irons. Let your hair dry naturally and style it with care.
• Au Naturale Products. Stay away from products that are made with SLS (sodium laurate sulfate). It can severely damage your hair over time leading to dryness and hair fall. Keep an eye on products that are more organic by reading their labels carefully. You can also try a home-made hair mask found on your kitchen cabinet - olive oil or coconut oil. Just simply apply and massage it into your scalp, roots, to the strands of your hair. Allow it to sit for a few hours and rinse it thoroughly using a natural shampoo. This works best before and after sun exposure.
• Protein Rich Conditioner. Chlorine is a disinfecting agent found in swimming pools and ocean. It’s a very harsh chemical that leaves hair dry, frizzy, and sometimes turns your hair to a rubberized texture. It’s extremely damaging most especially to color treated hair. So before you make a splash, make sure that you’ve applied protein rich conditioner days before.
• Salon Experience Before Summer Fun. Go on and indulge your locks with a protein treatment before your summer destination. Have your hair stylist give you a new do by doing a trim, layer, or cutting it short. This will remove split ends and will give you that “I’m ready for summer!” look.

About the Author:

Sarah del Rosario is a beauty and health blogger. Aside from writing, she is also fond of painting and DIY crafts. She currently partners with Hair Booth, one the the trusted online shops of Babyliss products.

Green Beauty: DIY Face Masks

Here are a couple recipes for some face masks to help your face.

For moisture, mix 1T honey, 1T powdered oatmeal (use a processor), and 2T yogurt.

For a deep clean, mix 3/4 c mashed strawberries, 3T yogurt, and 1T rice or nut flour.

Leave the mask on your face for 20 minutes, and then gently wash off.

Green Beauty: DIY Vanilla Body Scrub

Cooler fall air and winds and winds can lead to dry skin. Seasonal skin problems can be solved this year with all-natural treatments and products that are free of harsh chemicals – a healthier option for the body and the environment. Money can be saved on expensive natural products too by using kitchen pantry staples to create DIY spa treatments for glowing skin at home.
 
Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, the makers of fine vanillas and flavors, has pure flavor products made from high quality natural oils and several all-natural vanilla products. Just a drop of Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract can be added to any DIY spa recipe for improved skin tone, calming aromatherapy, and healthy antioxidants.

Try these spa ideas from Nielsen-Massey for fresh fall skin with common kitchen ingredients:
• Use leftover green tea bags and place on eyes to remove dark circles and puffiness.
• Lemon oil is known to have a calming effect on the body. Mix Pure Lemon Extract with water for a beneficial skin treatment for dry skin.
• Hydrate skin with a honey facemask – spread raw honey on face, leave for 20 minutes, rise off for smooth skin
• Coconut oil moisturizes skin and is known to help heal small bumps and bruises.
• Combine a splash of Rose Water with water and put into a spritzer bottle – keep it in the car or purse for a fresh scent (or leave it in the refrigerator for a cooling morning mist).
“I use vanilla sugar in my homemade body scrub. The scent is relaxing and it’s an affordable way to treat myself to a little pampering,” explains Beth Nielsen, chief culinary officer of Nielsen-Massey.
For smooth skin, try Nielsen’s DIY Vanilla Body Scrub recipe below.

Vanilla Body Scrub
Ingredients
1 cup Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 or 2 drops of an essential oil such as lavender, eucalyptus, etc.
Decorative, waterproof container

1. Mix ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Spoon into a decorative, waterproof container
3. Wrap in decorative paper.

Instructions for use: Apply a small amount to damp skin while in shower or bath. Gently scrub skin with a soft washcloth. Rinse thoroughly.


About Nielsen-Massey Vanillas
Throughout its more than 100 year history, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of the finest extracts in the world. The full line of Nielsen-Massey’s Pure Vanilla products include: Vanilla Beans and Extracts from Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico; sugar and alcohol-free Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar and Certified Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and Beans.
Nielsen-Massey Vanillas also has a line of Pure Flavors: Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Almond Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water. All Nielsen-Massey products are Allergen-Free and certified kosher and Gluten-Free. The company is headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, with production facilities in Waukegan and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

Green Beauty: Berry-Yogurt Mask

Berries can be as good for your skin as they are for your face. Blend 1/4 c mixed berries, 2 Tbsp plain yogurt, 2 Tbsp honey, and 1 Tbsp lemon juice until smooth. Wash your face, then apply the ask and let sit 10-15 minutes. Rinse and pat dry. The antioxidants will help fight free radicals, and the honey will exfoliate, seal in moisture, and promote new tissue growth.

Make-It-Yourself: Apricot Facial

Puree 1/2 an apricot (the vitamin A and C can help stimulate new skin cells) with 1 T warm whole milk and 2 tsp raw honey. Apply to face and neck, then rinse after 20 minutes.

Self-made Spa: Sugaring

Here's one really easy recipe for sugaring (like waxing). Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar with the juice from 2 lemons (about 6 tablespoons). Heat until the mixture is bubbly and amber-colored. It should stay somewhat solid when dripped in water. Apply to skin as soon as it is cool enough to not burn you. Spread on your legs, cover with strips of cloth, and pull.