Fine Hair, Don’t Care: 5 Ways to Keep Your Mane Luxurious

Fine hair is simply hair in which the shaft is smaller in diameter than other hair types. This means that fine hair presents a unique set of challenges which require the absolute best hair care techniques to main healthy, beautiful strands. This becomes of the greatest importance once you involve other hair challenges, such as dryness, oil, thinness and other hair matters. Whether your hair is straight, tightly coiled or anything in between, if you want to maintain happy, gorgeous locks, follow these tips:

Be Gentle With Your Hair

Fine hair, due to the diameter of the shaft, tends to be weaker than medium and coarse hair. This means that when you’re styling your hair, you have to handle it with some care to avoid excessive damage. Fine hair is more prone to split ends, so it is also good to trim the ends of your hair every 8-10 weeks to maintain the integrity of your hair. Braids, twists and locs should not be done tightly, especially around the nape of your neck and the edges of your hair.

Wash Your Hair Often

Fine hair tends to hold on to oil and product due to the size of the hair shaft. Since each hair follicle has it’s own oil gland, it doesn’t take long for fine hair to begin to look oily and limp. Wash your hair every day or every other day and use shampoos that will make your hair look more voluminous. Dry shampoo is great on fine hair, especially if you use it at night as the dry shampoo will have a chance to fully absorb oils and the additional tossing and turning you do at night will give your hair some added volume.

Completely Dry Your Hair

Giving your hair a full blow drying session will help give your hair extra bounce once you go to brush through it or style it. Letting your hair air dry, even blow drying it 50% of the way will leave your hair limp. If you have straight hair, blow drying your hair from different angles  to maximize the amount of volume in your hair. Sure, you hear sometimes that drying damages the hair, so for good results get yourself the best hair dryer for fine hair that you can find.

Avoid Excessive Product Use…

…especially at the roots. Excessive product use will cause your fine hair to look more limp and lifeless, the exact opposite look that many fine haired women are trying to avoid. Many stylists recommend that you go light on conditioner, a vital component of the hair washing process, for that very reason. If you are going to use products start applying them at the ends of your hair. Use products that will help by adding extra volume,  not extra weight such as volumnizing sprays.

Style Matters

How you cut and style your fine hair will make a huge difference as to the appearance of your hair. Light layers and blunt cuts are must haves for fine hair. Long layers will add movement and volume, while short cuts won’t weigh the hair down. Blunt cuts will give the hair the appearance of fullness. As for the debate on whether women with fine hair should wear bangs- if you absolutely want to have bangs, find someone who knows how to style bangs for fine hair and use dry shampoo to keep them from sticking to your forehead and separating. Finally, ponytails will never steer you wrong.

Fine hair does not have to be difficult. Once you begin to understand your hair, you will be able to main the health and beauty of your hair.

image credit: Pixabay CC0 license

Games That Boost Productivity at Work

Few managers would rate boosting productivity as an easy task at work. There are ways to do it though. These can involve playing games at work that offer incentives to employees as a reward and encourage teamwork. Most of them are simple to teach to employees and offer a bit if fun as well.

The Building Game

Everyone is assigned teams by drawing a number out of a hat. The teams are given the same number of blocks. Those blocks must be placed together by each team to create a structure. That structure must stand up and be steady when completed. The first team to build the sturdiest structure first wins.

Drawing Game

Again, break the team into two groups and give a drawing to one side of the team. Have them sit to where they can not see one another or the picture they are trying to create. The side without the picture has to draw what the first person is describing correctly working as a team. The first side that gets it done first accurately, wins.

Human Knot

The group stands in a circle facing one another. Everyone should be side by side. If the group is large, have them break them into smaller groups and work together. Each person should reach out the right hand and connect with another person. Then, put out the left hand and grab another random person. The goal of the circle is to dis-connect themselves without releasing hands through communication.

Minefield

This game requires going outside on a nice day. Hide things in a square space. Break the group up into two groups. Blindfold one group and pair them up randomly. One group without the blindfold gets the directions to find the hidden things. Have the people work together in these couples to find all of the items that are hidden.

Detective

Break the group into teams and hand them a puzzle set. They must work as a team to create the puzzle in a time frame as quiet as possible. Pints taken away when one person controls the game. The rules are to “work together.”

Sinking Ship

Place a piece of tape and place it across the middle of the room. Groups the workers into two groups. Each group is on one side of the tape line on the floor. A robe is handed to the group. All members hold the rope at their point of the room. Now, tape a line around the groups feet on each side of the middle tape on the floor. The objective is to keep inside of that “boat” on their side while the other team tried to pull them out of their “boat.” The winners are the team that holds steady and is not pulled out of their “boat.”

All of those games grant the winning team time off for an extra break. It’s incentives that can drive the team to work together. Then, take this same idea and create individual awards for accomplishment of a goal in daily assignments for the job. This can help the employees to work towards goals and enhance productivity.

Setting Up The Perfect Family Game Room

The family game room is a must in every home, and there are many ways to make it come together. There is a need for an air hockey table, and there are many other items that are quite exciting when you wish to make the room into a paradise of fun. This article explains how you may make your family game room into a fun place to play, and you will avoid problems that come with having no dedicated place to play.

#1: Air Hockey Is Always a Hit

For a table game that is good for all ages, definitely get your family an air hockey table and skip the billiards and foosball tables. Air hockey is quite competitive, and there are many people in the family who believe they will have an edge over the others. There are those who want to play air hockey and nothing else, and you will have others who will insist on playing something else. You must start with air hockey, but you must be more creative when you plan the room.

#2: Board Games Are Fun For The Whole Family

You must have board games set up in the house that will be easy to play, and you must place them in the room where anyone may play them. There are quite a few people who will want to play board games every day, and you may place them in the room where anyone may reach them at any time. The games should be fun for kids of all ages to play, and they will be engrossed in the games when they are playing for long periods of time. The games will make way for other parts of the game room that will be fun for the whole family. You can even buy themed games, like these cool Star Wars board games.

#3: Keep It Comfortable

You must have tables and seating in the room that will be easy to use, and you must have them set up in a manner that makes them easy to access when it is game time. Someone who wishes to play must have an easy place to look for the things they need, and they must have a table or two out that will help them ensure they may play instantly. The tables and chairs may be set out all the time, or you may leave them in a storage closet where the guests may move them quickly.

#4: Plan For Snacking

You may go so far as putting a bar in the room, and you will find it quite a lot of fun to use when you are entertaining, and you may use it when you are home with the family. Everyone who wishes to use the room may have a drink or snacks, and they will quite enjoy being in a room that everyone knows they may use to eat or drink. Eating and drinking in the room is quite important, and it helps the guests feel at home when they are over for parties.

#5: Tile Floors

You must have a tile floor in the game room to ensure the room is easy to clean. You want to avoid any problems you may with the spills that may happen in the room, and you will find it much easier for you to use the room without fear. The fear that comes along with the food you bring into the room is gone when you have set up a tile or linoleum floor.

The game room you put in the house is quite important as it will help you have a lovely time playing with your friends or family. You must have all the games in the room for your enjoyment, and you will find the game room much easier to use when you have the proper furniture and flooring sitting in the room or in storage.

My Best Practices For Healthy Cooking

Are you trying to reduce or completely eliminate the amount of toxins you take in when you eat? Have you been having trouble finding ways to do this? Well, I’m going to let you know a few different ways to do this. I’ll let you know which frying pans to avoid, which cookware is a good choice and how to properly prepare your meal without accidentally adding extra toxins.

Let’s start with cookware. Some of the worst frying pans you can use are any that are covered in a nonstick coating. Some research has shown that once that coating reaches 700 degrees, which can take as little as 3-5 minutes, it can release 15 or more toxic chemicals and gases. Also, when these chemicals are overheated they can produce fumes that have been known to make people sick and also kill birds. Needless to say, nonstick pans are not good for you or your animals if you prepare their food with them also.

Some of the best cookware options you can be using are ceramic cookware like WearEver Ceramic Cookware, cast-iron cookware, copper cookware, glass cookware and many others. Out of these, I personally feel that cast-iron cookware is one of the best to use. Yes, the iron from the skillets can get into your prepared foods, but iron is actually a healthy additive. If you know you have low iron in your blood, these could actually help you with that. Also, cleanup is extremely easy with cast-iron cookware. It is actually recommended that you don’t use soap.

Ceramic and glass cookware are also good options to use because they don’t really have any additives in them and they can be used until they break or you decide you don’t want it any more. One downside to having glass, ceramic, and enameled cookware, is that when you decide you are done with them you can not recycle it. You would just have to sell them or throw them away.

When it comes to the utensils you should use to cut down or eliminate your toxin intake, try using stainless steel or ceramic utensils. These have little to no toxins in them and also last a very long time. Bamboo utensils are also great to use because they are made of all natural materials and they could be recycled after you are done with them.

You should also try avoiding using plastic cooking and eating utensils. These can melt into your food and you could end up eating the chemicals from them. They can be handy when you have guests over for a party but if you are really serious about cutting out your toxins, I suggest investing in more ceramic or glass cookware and dinnerware.

One last thing you can do to avoid adding toxins to your foods while you prepare them is to use a bamboo, glass, wooden or ceramic cutting board. These are much sturdier than plastic cutting boards and are much less likely to break off and get pieces of them into your food. They are also much easier to maintain due to the fact that they are a smoother surface.

I hope this was helpful to you and I also hope your practices of a toxin free life work out for the best.

5 Tips for Winter Dry Skin

There are several things that everybody has in common, one of those is our skin. Our skin is the biggest organ in our body and acts as a shield protecting our organs. Many people look past the proper skin care aspect because they don’t realize how crucial it is to our overall well-being. Not only is our skin what they the world sees us in but it also affects our confidence. The cold winter weather has been known to cause dry and itchy skin, which is unavoidable for people who live in colder areas, but thankfully we have several healthy methods to reverse the effects that the cold has on our skin.

1. Olive Oil Skin Care

The DIY Olive Oil mixture that you will create to lessen the dry skin on your body that the cold winter weather brings been being used for over decades. The ingredients you will need are things that most people have in their cupboards anyways. You will need

• Four tablespoons of fine brown sugar
• One tablespoon of honey
• Two tablespoons of olive oil
• Wash your face before applying the mixture
• Gently rub this scrub onto your skin and leave it for about 10 minutes then get in the shower

2. Milk

You would actually be surprised to find that milk has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that help your skin get rid of the dry and itchiness that comes along with the winter weather. This also helps your skin lighten.

• Wash your face before applying
• You soak cold milk in a face cloth and set the face cloth on your face.
• Wash your face afterward with a warm cloth

3. Honey

Honey is actually used in so many DIY remedies to help your body do many different things. One of the qualities that honey obtains is loads of antioxidants and acts as a natural moisturizer. After using the honey on your skin, it will be noticeably softer as well as smoother.Honey contains many of the essential vitamins and minerals that are needed to improve the overall health care of your skin.

• Wash your face
• Rub the honey on the desired areas, spreading it evenly
• Leave on your skin for 5 minutes
• Wash the areas applied with a warm wash cloth

4, Avocado

Avocado is packed with antioxidants and fatty acids as well as it is overflowing with vitamins. For years people have been using avocado for many beneficial health products. Avocado contains a high amount of vitamin A that helps ensure your skin stays smooth and silky.

• Wash your face
• Crush up the pulp of the avocado until it is a paste
• Apply to desired areas
• Wash your face with a warm face cloth

5. Oatmeal

Most people have oatmeal already in their cupboards, which makes this DIY remedy so helpful. When using oatmeal, your skin will be noticeably softer and smoother. Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that improve your overall health as well as it contains a high amount of protein. Oatmeal also acts as a shield for your skin, which lessens the chances of your skin losing the moisture it needs not to be dry and flaky. The best way to achieve results is to get in a bath with oatmeal. This also will be very relaxing, and you can add the desired essential oils to receive even more benefits during your soak in the tub.

• Run your bath water
• Pour one cup of oatmeal into your tub
• Let it soak for 1 minute
• Soak in the bath for at least 20 minutes

Who knows how well your winter’s dry skin will improve if you follow just one of these tips? I mean you can’t knock it until you try it. Personally, I have tried all of these methods for my dry skin, and they have never disappointed. Another fun thing you can do to spice up the awesome effects that these basic foods have for your skin is to add a few drops of essential oils. Essential oils have been used in aromatherapy methods. Which proves the benefits it has on your body.

Where To Find A Good Designer Handbag

You can generally get a designer handbag in person or online. Here you can learn about how to find one wherever you want to look. Avoid fakes and get a good price after reading these tips if you want to always get awesome handbags.

A good place to find handbags is through classified online ads. You can look every day or two and see if anyone has one. Or, you can put out an ad saying what you want and then you’ll be able to meet up with people. Make sure you do so in public, and that you know how to spot fake handbags. You want to meet in public to do the sale in case the person wants to do anything shady. Don’t bring a bunch of money with you to a place where there aren’t other people when dealing with anyone.

Bags that you get online are not going to be as easy to screen for fakes. The only real way to make sure it’s not one is to always ask for pictures. Make sure that any seller you work with has some kind of return policy, because if they tell you all sales are final they may be selling fakes or handbags that are not in the best of shape. They can even take photos of a nice one and then send you one that’s no good, so only work with trusted people that allow you to get your money back if something is wrong.

Buying from a store in person that is well known may cost you more, but it will always get you what you’re paying for. People that try to get really good deals on designer merchandise will soon find that there is a big market for fakes. You’ll be able to sometimes get awesome deals on used or new ones, but chances are they won’t all be legit. Before spending a lot of money on anything, know that people are really good at making fakes and that they are not worth much money at all.

Having the ability to get a nice designer handbag for cheap is always a good thing. You can get one for an event or just to make your daily look more awesome. You’re going to enjoy shopping and seeing all of the choices too if you enjoy checking out these kinds of things.

Holiday Hairstyle Ideas for Women

The flat waves hairstyle is very desirable for the holiday season again this year! This trend lives on- among celebrities and everyday stylish people, like your favorite YouTube style celebrities. To achieve this incredible look, you will need a large/small-barreled hair straightener/flat Iron, curling iron, a comb, brush, wavy spray, shimmering serum or mousse. Apply these products after your hair is washed and conditioned.

There are seven ways to wear this creation:

* For medium length hair- All you need is a flat iron, wavy spray, and some hair spray or mousse. Take two long twist and carefully flat iron the strands- as you hold the end of the hair. Complete this step all over your hair. It only takes 5 minutes to complete.

* For Light curls- All you will need is a thin curling iron. Use some hair mousse and then break hair into sections, and twist strands with the curling iron- as you hold the end of the hair. It only takes 5 minutes to complete.

* For shorter hair- All you need is a small flat iron or the best straightening brush, wavy spray, and some hair spray or mousse and then break hair into sections, and twist strands with flat iron- as you hold the end of the hair. It only takes 8 minutes to complete.

* For long and thick hair- All you need is a large barreled hair straightener, wavy spray, shimmering serum or mousse. Take the straightener and twist the hair- as you hold the large barreled hair facing down towards the floor, and break hair into sections and twist strands with hair straightener, as you hold the end of hair. It only takes 10 minutes to complete.

* Embrace natural waves by blow drying your hair with a diffusor, and let the hair strands fall naturally.

* If your hair is already wavy, twist back the two front sections of your hair- and pin them to the back of your head, to create a romantic look.

* Overnight Styling- Before you go to bed, dampen hair and part it down the middle into two pigtails. Spray strands with wavy spray or mousse. Coil the two halves of the ponytail- and pin the ends in sections to your head. Your hair will dry naturally overnight. The next day, unpin the hair and loosen with a comb or your fingertips. The waves should settle naturally. It’s best to keep the hair well- conditioned to get stronger results.

Listed below are some hair tips for dealing with wavy hair:

• Minimum use of heat
• Use a sulfate-free shampoo to avoid dryness
• Use a moisturized conditioner
• Do not use silicone, because it coats the hair and prevent moister to the scalp
• Use a wide tooth comb to detangle hair- after it is washed

In all cases, for the fresh wave look- wash your hair, blow dryer, and then apply the wavy spray or mousse, to obtain the luxurious style that you desire. If you want bounce or volume, brush your hair upside down- and spray some lacquer on the edge of the strands to get a festive look!

Finding The Best Fashion Trends

If you are thinking about going with proper fashion trends, you will want to find good spots to begin your research on the topic.

So, where do you go?

You have three places that are going to be prominent when it comes to this search.

Begin here.

Fashion Shows

The best place to start is to look at fashion shows in the area because this is going to matter a lot. You want to make sure the fashion show you are going with will matter. These are the things that are going to matter a lot because the fashion shows remain ahead.

You want to go through this information and meet with people who are like-minded about these trends.

You will have a good time, and it will be an excellent learning experience.

Magazines

The magazines are going to give you nice value as well in the long-term. You are going to get a good look into what people adore and why they do.

Magazines are a must in this day and age because they are updated all the time and you get a fresh look at what the world of fashion has to offer. Why not take advantage of these trends?

Go through some of the leading magazines and see what they have to offer regarding ideas. You will adore what they are bringing to the table for you to go through.

Online

Yes, you can go down the simple route and begin online because that will provide you with nice access into what people wear and why they are wearing those items in the first place. Just having this information can give you a lot of value in this day and age.

You want to make sure things are pushing forward as that is a must.

An online option is something you are going to enjoy. These are the fashion trends you will be able to lay a foundation with as to what you are putting on and buying.

Fashion trends are going to come and go, so you have to be alert and pay attention to what is being put on. You have to look into these things as well as you can because it does matter a lot.

When you are in tune with what people are putting on, you are going to add a new wrinkle to your fashion approach as well, which is what matters most.

How I Get To Wear Different Designer Clothes Every Work Day

I am a fashion consultant and stylist for a living, and so it is critical that I be seen dressed sharp myself all the time. I have many regular clients, and one thing that a lot of them have told me about why they believe in me and refer me to others for more work is because they have never seen me wear anything but designer clothes, but they also have never seen me wear the same thing twice.

Both facts are true, but what they do not know is that I do not actually own all that many clothes. Granted, I have about a month’s worth of outfits sitting in my apartment, and they are all designer clothes, but I sure did not spend full price on them. Some of them I did not even pay for. I do get them in a variety of ways though.

Some designer clothing makers send me outfits to try out or wear because they want me to like them and recommend them to my clients, but this does not account for as much of my wardrobe as you might think, nor does it really work. I always give my clients my honest opinion.

What I do on top of the freebies is sell my clothes online after I have worn them once. While an outfit does have a slight market markdown after being worn once, it is not that much, given the demand for such clothes, so I do get most of my money back from anything I bought fresh off the rack.

Even then, I do not pay full retail most of the time, as I buy used quite often myself online. Unlike a lot of others, I do not waste time looking for something exactly my size, as I know a good tailor and make very fastidious use of him much of the time.

I also hit vintage boutiques, donation stores, and yard and garage sales every weekend. You would be shocked to discover just what kind of designer clothes you can find in boxes at such a sale, just because people do not know what they have. Sometimes the wrong family member goes through a closet, or they forgot and just want to get rid of a bad memory as soon as possible.

All in all, I have various ways of finding a steady supply of great clothes.