If you’ve got hair that is anything like mine, you see a challenge in the mirror every morning. My stylist, a fabulous young man who cuts my hair wonderfully, has recently convinced me to stop washing my hair so often. Yes, that’s right, to wash it less!

Not only has this given me more time in the morning by cutting down on the length of my showers every other day (and hey! It’s green!), but my hair actually looks better. It’s not burdened with over-clean hair which is a signal to the hair follicles that it needs to make even more oil! In addition, since my hair looks so great, I’ve found that I have more of a desire to spend time with it.

I recently picked up some tips on just how to style my hair, without spending TONS of time on it. I’m pretty busy, and can’t really spend lots of time in front of the bathroom mirror every day, so using these tips has helped me to cut down on my style-time.

• Start with a good shampoo (every other day, of course). If it’s not a hair-washing day, a good rinse in the shower is enough.
• Before blow drying, apply volumizing spray – Oscar Blandi Volumizing Spray is my favorite, – to sections of hair. Separate the sections with either a hair brush or by flipping over and separating parts of your hair with your fingers.
• Blow dry your hair, again going in sections, applying a bit more volumizing spray at the roots when you’re done.
• Finish up with hair spray, serum, or a balm, depending on the look you are going for.
• Blow your great hair (and yourself) a kiss in the mirror and go get ‘em!

It is that easy to style your hair and look great!

Sincerely, Caterina P.S. I found a great hair care site that tells you the right way to wash your hair for optimum results.

Some of the beauty tips that make the biggest impact on a girl’s appearance are also the easiest changes to make. While you can scour beauty reviews for the latest products and the hottest new makeup look, you should really have the beauty basics of hair and nails down first. There are two things you can do for your hair and nails that are inexpensive and have an enormous effect on creating a polished appearance. These are: shaping your eyebrows and having well-groomed nails.

Let’s start with your eyebrows. If you’ve never had your brows waxed or shaped – go do it right now! I’m serious. I know it sounds like a small thing, but the effect it has is amazing. Shaped brows immediately create a more groomed and polished look. You can get a brow wax done at a salon for about ten dollars. Or you can try a stencil and coloring kit like the Anastasia Brow Ex-press Brunette that sells for under $40. I like this because you get both the pre-shaped stencils, and the colors to create the perfect shade for your eyebrows. Plus, you only have to buy it once, unlike visiting the salon every few weeks. And toning that eyebrow color up or down a notch is another quick and easy fix.

What about nails? Hair and nails are so important because they’re the barometer of personal grooming. If you neglect these, you’re probably neglecting other, bigger issues of your health and wellness. And since hair and nails are such an easy place to start- why wouldn’t you? Want quick and easy? Try this.

Get an inexpensive Nail Whitening Pencil for under $5. Just keep you nails clean and shaped, and use this for an instant clean and natural look. By running the pencil under you nails you can get the clean and polished look of a French manicure without the fuss. Or take those nails up a notch by investing about $40 in a professional manicure/pedicure set. This is a beauty basic. A good kit will have buffers, filers, and a cuticle pusher at least. Just by keeping your nails shaped and buffed can make a difference.

Beauty reviews for hair and nails need to start at the basics and go from there. So here’s your starting point to looking and feeling great!

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls