Your hair is one of your most distinguishing features. The first thing in a description of somebody is their height, the second is their hair color and style. Your hair is out there!
And we want our hair to look good. Whatever your hair type, color, length or condition, you want it to look its best. This is easy if you have the money to employ someone to care for your hair, but many of us want great hair on a budget. Let's face it, when it comes to the hard choices, the hair expense is one of the first to be swiped off the list. So, how do you manage your hair and keep the budget straight?
Shampoo
The shampoo you prefer to use depends very much on your hair and, more importantly, your scalp, so you might want to do some research and find comparable but less expensive brands. You also want to remember that you can wash a lot of hair with a very little shampoo. You always wash hair twice, one wash to clean, the second to lather. So, depending on the length of your hair you want no more than a teaspoonful for the first wash, and half that amount for the second.
Skip the Shampoo
You don't need to wash your hair if it doesn't need washing. Often you just need to rinse hair, again depending on hair type. If you live in an area with really hard water, you might to add conditioner, vinegar or beer to the rinse.
Conditioner
Do you really need to spend a lot of money and buy conditioner every month or two? No, you do not. You can buy a good conditioner and mix three drops with a pint of water and pour this over your hair, without rinsing it out. If you should run out of conditioner, you can use a couple of drops of fabric softener, preferably one formulated for wool or baby clothes. The key to all these things is to use a little, not a lot.
Cut your own bangs
Use a pair of small sharp scissors. Use a comb to section your hair so that you flip the top layer upwards and leave the bottom layer. Comb the bottom layer so it flattens wetly to your forehead and cut at half an inch lower than your desired length. When your hair dries it bounces up and if you cut at the length you want it you will find it too short when it dries. Now comb the top layer down and cut it a quarter inch longer than the bottom layer.
This is because the top layer needs to be longer so your bangs turn in slightly. Try this first cutting on the long side. Remember, cutting is quick, growing back takes a little longer. Also remember that you won't know how it will look until your hair is dry.
Sally Anne Lewis - Sally has master's degrees in science and journalism, is fascinated to a degree in most things. Always something to learn.
