Long Hair – Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Tresses Tame

Michelle Sapiano

All women dream of long, luscious locks, but for many, beautiful hair remains just that- a dream, because they are unsure if how to properly care for their hair, and commit many crimes against their tresses in their lifetime, damaging it constantly and causing it to look dull,and lifeless. These tips will help you to get and maintain beautiful and healthy hair... the kind of hair you have always wanted. Remember long hairstyles need extra attention and care.

1. Make sure you know your hair type, and use products specifically designed for your hair.
2. When choosing hair care products, particularly shampoos and conditioners, stay away from supermarket products that often contain silicone that can really damage your tresses.
3. NEVER brush wet hair as it will break. This is especially true for those of you with curly hair. If it is absolutely necessary use a wide toothed comb to detangle when wet being very gentle and cautious. Work from the ends upwards towards the scalp.
4. Do not wrap wet hair in a towel turban on top of your head after washing, as the friction from the towel can knot and damage hair- causing fly aways and split ends.
5. Wash hair in warm water, as extremely hot or cold water will damage your locks.
6. Ensure your diet is providing enough vitamins to keeps your hair healthy. Foods rich in Vitamin B, C and E will promote healthy, beautiful hair.
7. Using a hair dryer to dry hair robs hair of its moisture so air dry hair whenever possible to help prevent those fly aways and split ends.
8. Avoid pulling hair back tightly or using tight rubber bands to hold hair as it can damage and break the hair.
9. Do not overuse products such as hair spray, mousse and gel as these can irritate the scalp and cause dandruff, as well as lead to damage to the hair shaft.
10. Avoid chemical treatments to hair like dyeing it, perming it or chemically straightening it as these destroy the hair, and dry out your scalp. They also weaken the hair and make it more likely to break leaving you with fly aways, frizz and split ends. Learn to work with what you were given rather than trying to dramatically change it.

Hair care experts recommend brushing long hair in the correct manner, not only for care- but to promote and stimulate growth to keep your hair long and lovely. By bending forward, and allowing your hair to fall, brush hair from the nape of the neck, over the head and down to the ends. Stand up straight, and brush from underneath your hair, downward. Continue brushing hair from roots to ends, now from the top of your head whilst standing normally, and use your hands to smooth down your hair in between strokes in order to prevent frizz. If your hair becomes oily, then reduce the number of strokes you do daily. Experts also recommend using a natural bristled hair brush to brush your hair with.

For truly expert hair care and a VIP experience you need to go and see Michelle Sapiano at ELATTC

The Work Life Balance

The dictionary defines balance as follows: To bring into or keep in equal or satisfying proportion or harmony.  It’s easy enough to understand, right?  So, why then, do so many of us have such a hard time balancing our work lives and our personal lives? For many of us, it is simply that we have not taken a solid look at the consequences of our actions.  Science has proven that failing to properly manage our work and personal environments can be detrimental to the quality of life we have.

                                             

Many of us today tend to devote a majority of our time and energy to our professions.  Sometimes this is due to an individual’s intense desire to succeed.  Other times it is due to overwhelming responsibility looming over our heads.  Still, other times it is simply due to getting caught up in our daily tasks without questioning what our real priorities should be.  This is very unsettling.  You don’t have to be a psychologist to understand the repercussions here.  Home life has a tremendous potential to deteriorate if left on the back burner.  Some times, we just need to be reminded that ignorance is not always bliss.

The flip side of this equation is that some of us lean the other way, devoting our energy to our families and neglecting our professional roles.  This, too, can be undermining to our overall quality of life.  If we have chosen to be in the work force, we must contribute what is expected of us.  To do less is not only a disservice to the company, but also to each one of us.  We all have a duty to apply our full potential in all that we do.

The key here is to find that enviable state where work and life are balanced, and then remain there.  Although this is not as easy as it sounds, it is attainable.  For starters, sit down and list what is important to you, and be honest.  Decide where your true balance lies.  We are not all equal and do not all have the same definition of balance.  Next, put your words into action.  Reorganize your time, if necessary, and stick to your guns.  It may not feel normal at first, but don’t let this deter you.  Months or years of routine may have trained you to be comfortable with your unbalanced life.  Finally, realize that work-life balance is an on-going process.  It is easy to revert back to old schedules and routines without conscious effort.  Remain aware of your present situation and make changes accordingly. Your mind, body, family, and business will all thank you for doing so.

15 minutes may well change your life ...

Are you stuck in a rut where nothing is getting done? Do you have project after project lined up for you to do? What do you do in the mean time? Do you just let them sit there? Do you constantly get frustrated because nothing is getting done? Well, don’t fear. 15 minutes can change your life.

Take 15 minutes to start a project. Do this everyday and you will eventually get it done. The hardest part is getting started. Once you begin, the time goes by fast. If you take 15 minutes a day on a project, you will eventually get that project done. 15 minutes will lead to 30 minutes. 30 minutes will lead to an hour.

Why can’t you get anything done? You are overwhelmed. This perfectly natural feeling comes with everything going on in your life. Your goal is to make this process as easy as possible. You want to deal with it a little at a time. You may get overwhelmed with the amount of time it may take to complete the project. If you focus on that part of the process you will never get it done. You will begin to procrastinate doing the work. Dedicate yourself to doing a little bit at a time.

What this process will do for you is help you to become more disciplined in your focus to get things done. You will be more alert with your projects. You will be less prone to procrastinate. There will be order and structure to your project which will keep you from being overwhelmed.

Give yourself at least a week to see how it works. You will not see much change after a day to be impressed. After a week you should be able to see a significant difference. It should be enough to motivate you to do more than 15 minutes a day.

Change your mindset. Your mind is your life line. You have to train your mind to look at your project in pieces. If your mindset is negative, it is easier to talk yourself into doing something else than doing what you are supposed to do. Divide your projects into manageable pieces. Start with 15 minutes. When you do this on a regular basis, the mind gets accustomed to the workload. You begin to feel stronger and motivated to do more. It is at this point you apply yourself. The next day continue the journey.

Open your mind to the possibilities 15 minutes can offer. Gain freedom by taking small steps. Enjoy the journey. Start today.