Hair conditioner myths and half-truths

Whatever your hair type, conditioner can add lustre to your locks.

Hair conditioner is a surprisingly recent addition to the standard beauty product range, but its quality and effects have improved radically since it was introduced, and it's now an essential for most women – and many men, too. Its benefits include strengthening hair and leaving it softer, shinier and easier to manage. According to Dr Steve Shiel of Pantene, conditioner protects and repairs and, regardless of hair type, anyone with hair over 10 centimetres long can benefit from using it.

Some myths and half-truths persist, however, that make some people reluctant to use conditioner, claiming that they don't like the effect it has on their hair. Shiel suggests that many of the people who say hair conditioner leaves their hair feeling dull or lank have not given the newer products a chance, or are simply using the conditioner incorrectly. In fact, modern hair conditioners are designed specifically to increase the feeling of lightness, and their main objective is to leave hair softer, shinier and sleeker by reducing static build-up.

The way in which the conditioner is applied is absolutely key to achieving these results. Typically, the roots of the hair do not need extra conditioning, so the product should be applied from half-way down the hair shaft and extended downwards to the tips. The quantity used is important, too, with the tendency being to use too much. Exactly how much you need will depend on a number of factors – the length of your hair, how dry it is, how often you condition, and even the type of conditioner you use – but a dollop the size of a walnut should be plenty.

So, with that in mind, let's take a look at four basic myths:

• “After conditioning, my hair feels greasy”
  As long as we apply the product correctly – from mid-way down the shaft and downwards to the tip, avoiding the roots – the effect will be to moisturise the needy zones, not over-moisturise the areas of hair that don't need it.
• “Conditioning leaves my hair flat with no volume”
  Make sure you're using the right type of conditioner for the effect you want to achieve. There is a wide variety of products on the market, so choose the one that's appropriate depending on whether you want your hair to look sleeker, to define the curls or give body and volume etc.
• “You only need to use conditioner on damaged hair”
  Conditioner certainly has a restorative function, so should be used on coloured and damaged hair, but it also has a preventative function and helps protect from external factors that can cause damage – the weather, aggressive hair treatments, the hair dryer... As always, prevention is better than cure.
• “Conditioner takes the shine away”
  One of the things that conditioner will do, if applied correctly, is to close the hair cuticle – the outer layer of the hair – and make it smoother. This makes the surface sleeker and more reflective, meaning that your hair should look brighter and shinier.

Straight talk about hair irons

Whether you call them flat irons or straighteners, many women find these gadgets an essential element in their beauty toolkit. Hair irons have been around for over a century but in recent years there have been many technological advances and improvements.

In the past, lack of temperature control and the use of low-grade materials meant anyone who aspired to straighter hair put their locks at risk with each use. Now, however, most hair irons are made of ceramic, which experts agree gives better results as well as being much gentler on the hair. The secret lies in the fact that temperature is more easily controlled and heat more evenly distributed. It's worth spending a little more for better quality hair irons with ceramic heating elements rather than a cheaper model that has a coating that only looks like ceramic and that will wear off quickly.

Even with modern technology, you need to be wary just how often you use a straightener, but by following our suggestions, you should get the best results.

• Unless the model you are using specifically says it is suitable for wet hair, only use a flat iron on completely dry hair.
• Wash your hair and apply conditioner – the straightening process is tough on your locks, so they're going to need nourishing to compensate.
• If you use a hair dryer, you can start the process at this stage by encouraging your hair into the straight style you are aiming for while you blow it dry.
• Once dry, divide your hair into small thin sections and work on each in turn, making sure each strand is tangle-free before you straighten it.
• You may not need to actually straighten every single section. Carefully choosing which sections to treat may be sufficient to reduce the frizz and will have a less damaging effect in the long term.
• As you slide the iron down the shaft of the hair from the roots towards the ends, you shouldn't stop, but should cover the whole length in one smooth movement. Jerky movements will tend to open the hair cuticle and take the shine out of your hair.
• Remember that moisture will make your barnet frizz again, so carry an umbrella and don't expect the effect to last in humid atmospheres.


Note that any heat treatment has a tendency to weaken the hair, which makes it more brittle and difficult to comb. There are heat protection products available which you should be using if you often use hair driers, curling tongs and flat irons on your hair.

New Year skin care

Now the Christmas and New Year festivities are over, treat your skin to some TLC.

Hopefully you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season with friends and family; sadly, though, all that festive fun won't have done your complexion any favours. And it isn't just your face that will have suffered: high heels, late nights, a rich diet and too much alcohol, not to mention the wintery weather... your whole system has been through a lot recently and now it deserves a little pampering. We can't do much about the weather, but we can give you a few tips to help repair some of the damage and restore vitality to your skin.



• Use a conditioning body mask to soften and repair the winter damage to your skin. And use a face mask, too, not just for the benefits of the mask itself, but for the 15 minutes or so you take to sit still, listening to your favourite relaxing music: this short disconnection from the world has a marvellous repairing effect inside and out.


• Take a shower or bath with a cleansing gel to gently cleanse the skin. In winter it's particularly important to use products that nourish and restore the skin's protective barrier. Finish off with your favourite moisturising product.
• Take a break from the drink. Try a week or two – or more – with no champagne, no wine... nothing but water. And plenty of it, as it really does do wonders for your skin. If you prefer, you can warm it up a bit and add a little lemon – it's a great way to start the day and will help to rehydrate your skin from within as well as aiding digestion. If you really don't like water, herbal and fruit teas can be a good alternative.
• Try taking a bath with a detox product. Use an exfoliant or a mitt to stimulate circulation and eliminate toxins. If you use a face mask at the same time, the steam will increase the mask's effectiveness. After the bath, try applying a product that will stimulate and get your blood moving. Both your mind and your skin will thank you.


• High heels and dancing may be fun at the time, but your feet are probably crying out for a massage with a rich moisturising cream. After the massage, pop on some warm socks and settle down with your feet up for the evening.

Face Beaut Tips

Face Beauty Tips, Complete the look by dabbing just a touch of bronzer to your forehead, nose and chin for a natural look.
Laying a good foundation for your foundation
Regardless what kind of foundation you use; good skin care can shine through any make up. To make your make up last all day, be sure you are applying your foundation on a relatively oil free surface. Make sure your face is clean and wipe it down with astringent before beginning your makeup routine. Astringent not only takes care of the surface oil, but it also dissolves oil in the pores, making them appear smaller. Also it helps the foundation adhere better to your skin so that it’s not melting off your face halfway through your day.
Never, never sleep in your make up. Sleeping in your make up can clog up your pores, making them larger. At the end of the day wash your face thoroughly with an exfoliating scrub. If you do not regularly exfoliate your face dead skins cells can pile up on the surface of your skin, making it appear ashen and making you look older.
Blemishes
We’ve all gotten them at some point. That dreaded zit or that horrible cold sore. Use make up as a tool to misdirect the eye where you want it to go. For example if you have got a monster zit on your forehead, go ahead and cover it up with some concealer but then go for a bolder lip color or some sparkly lip gloss (I know I just told you to keep you lipstick natural but when a zit is involved I can make an exception).
Or if you’re sporting a cold sore do not try to cover it up with lipstick, you will only draw more attention to it. Instead go with a muted lip color and go a little more dramatic on your eyes, or even throw on some dazzling earrings.
When faced with a blemish or flaw of any kind, deal with it the diva way. Decide where you want people to look and play that up instead.