Finding out your type means taking the guesswork out of handling, styling, and treating hair.

By Maui V. Reyes for Yahoo! Southeast Asia

It seems that if you're born with straight hair, you lust after wavy locks. And if you're a kinky-haired babe, you dream of getting straight, tamed tresses. Yes, it's true—the grass is always greener on the other side of your salon chair.


But does that mean you have to change your hair texture? While many women complain that having curly hair can be a pain, the cause of such mess could be the inadequate knowledge of how to work with the kind of hair you were born with. Because believe us when we say that it doesn't matter what your hair texture is—straight, curly, thin, or thick—everyone has bad hair days, and most of them happen because we don't know how to take care of our hair well.


Emmy-award winner and hairstylist Andrew Walker developed a classification system of different hair types to take the guesswork out of handling, styling, and treating hair. Read on to find out how to tame your tresses, according to your hair type.

Type 1: Silky straight
It's the hair type most Asians are known for: silky smooth, straight hair that reflects the sun. It seems to be the most resilient type, and if you've ever tried working with a curling iron, you'll know that it's impossible to keep curls with this hair texture. This hair type reflects the most sheen, thanks to its oily texture—which is because oil from the scalp can work its way to the ends without being interfered by curls.


How to give it volume: Unfortunately for straight-haired sisters, their locks lack volume. Because there aren't any curls or waves to take up space on their crowns, straight-haired women feel their hair always lie flat and dull. If you feel like you're stuck in this rut, add some volume by applying a root-lifter product (such as a volumizing mousse) at the roots right after washing your hair. Then, turn your hair upside down, and blow-dry until it's a bit damp. Finish off by brushing from the roots with a round brush, to "lift" up hair.

Type 2: Wavy
Neither super straight nor very curly, Type 2 hair has S-curls that every Victoria Secret supermodel seems to sport nowadays. This unusual hair type can further be classified into three types: fine, thin hair, which is easy to handle and style; medium-textured type; and the thick and coarse wavy hair. The last two types have a tendency to get frizzy.


How to tame frizz: You might want to use anti-frizz products to tame frizz. Your hair can also be easily weighed down by styling products, so use lighter formulas like mousses and sprays. You might also want to shampoo every other day, since too much shampooing can make your hair dry and cause it to become even more frizzy!

Type 3: Curly
Type 3 hair may look straight when wet. But as it dries, you'll notice it slowly going back to its curly state. It has a lot of body and bounce, and can easily be styled while in its natural state. In fact, healthy Type 3 hair is shiny, with smooth curls and strong elasticity. The curls are beautifully well-defined and springy. They are also climate-dependent, and damage-prone.


Too much humidity can cause curly hair to frizz, making you look like you stuck your finger in an electric socket. Plus, oil isn't able to reach the ends of your hair, with curls obstructing the way…this leaves you with dry hair.


How to keep the frizz down: Try to keep frizz down to a minimum by shampooing once or twice a week—more than that could strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and prone to breakage. Use emollient-rich shampoos and conditioners, and consider running a wide-toothed comb through your hair when applying conditioner for even distribution. Apply a leave-on conditioner after rinsing your hair, and never, ever rub your hair with a towel—the friction will only cause more hair damage and frizz.


Air-dry your hair and apply an anti-frizz serum and moisturizing gel while hair is still damp. If you're looking at using hair styling products, keep them to a minimum, often giving your hair a "time-out" in between: styling products can deplete hair of natural oils.
(More tips on how to learn to love and live with your curls)

Type 4: Kinky
Think Macy Gray's 'fro is super tough? Think again. Type 4 hair, or kinky hair, may look super strong and durable, but it's actually the most fragile type of hair. This type of hair looks wiry, but each tightly-coiled strand has fewer cuticle layers, making it more prone to damage than any other hair type. It's also the driest hair type.


Many people think kinky hair doesn't grow as fast as straight or wavy hair, but it actually grows at the same rate…but since it's so much more drier, hair tends to be prone to breakage, making it seem like it didn't grow. Plus, Type 4 hair shrinks up to 75% of its actual hair length, making it look like it hasn't been growing in length!


How to fight dryness and breakage: Type 4 hair is fine and fragile, so treat it with as much care as you would a super expensive cashmere sweater: cleanse and detangle softly, and avoid harsh chemicals! Use a creamy, sulfate-free moisturizing cleanser on your hair once a week (washing your hair more than once a week will strip it of natural oils) followed by a super hydrating conditioner. Apply a leave-on conditioner to make detangling easier, and apply pomade to seal in moisture. Avoid using mineral oil, petrolatum oils, and heavy waxes—these will only weigh down your hair.

If you want to style your hair, pick styling butters that have conditioners and moisturizers. Detangle your hair with a special detangling brush, since combs and brushes will only cause more tangles and could break your hair. Lastly, reduce tangles by sleeping on a satin pillow or using a satin head wrap.

source: http://ph.she.yahoo.com/blogs/teen-life/hair-type-025326015.html

Drinking water

While we are probably all familiar with the advice to drink eight glasses of water a day, more recent research has suggested that there is actually no scientific evidence supporting this recommendation and that drinking excessive amounts of water can actually be dangerous by lowering the concentration of salt in your blood. Health-conscious water drinkers should also be wary of the trend for drinking bottled water, as studies have suggested that the chemicals (phthalates) from plastic bottles can leach into water and disrupt hormone levels.

Talking over your problems


Talking through your problems can be a great way to gain some perspective and get things off your chest. However, studies have suggested that, after a certain point, rehashing and dwelling on problems can actually be bad for your health. According to research, revisiting and analyzing the same problems with friends (“co-rumination”) can lead to anxiety, stress disorders and depression. Next time a problem arises, by all means talk it over with a friend, but try to focus on problem-solving rather than simply dwelling on the issue.

Sipping on mocktails


You may think that by swapping cocktails for mocktails you are doing your health a favour, but this may not actually be the case. While cutting down on alcohol is beneficial for your wellbeing, mocktails are often high in refined sugar which research suggests is just as damaging and addictive as alcohol. For a safer swap and a shot of nutrients, make sure you stick to mocktails made from pure fruit juices instead of those made from syrups.


Early morning workouts


While a daily workout is great for your health, studies suggest that getting up for early morning exercise may not be as ideal as it seems. A study by a researcher from Brunel University, Middlesex, found that heavy training sessions early in the morning can compromise the immune system and put athletes at increased risk of bacterial and viral infection. While a morning jog or gentle exercise session is unlikely to put you at risk, it may be better to save heavier workouts for later in the day.

Taking nutritional supplements


We all know that vitamins are good for us, but relying on nutritional supplements can actually be bad for your health. Separate studies have shown that high doses of vitamin supplements including iron, magnesium and vitamin B6 raise the death rate of older women, while taking vitamin E can increase men’s risk of prostate cancer. While certain people may be required to take vitamins (those with low levels of vitamin D, for example, or vegans who may be deficient in vitamin B12), for most people a better approach is to opt for a varied diet full of fruit and vegetables which will give you all the nutrients you need.

Slathering on sunscreen


Official advice for many years has warned about the dangers of skin cancer, causing many of us to take measures to cover up in the sun at all times. However, while it is extremely important to protect your skin, experts have more recently advised that little and frequent sun exposure is good for us, preventing vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to rickets, osteomalacia and depression. Official advice in the UK, where rickets has recently made a comeback, is to spend 10 minutes in the midday sun without sunblock each day before covering skin up.

Switching to low fat foods


When getting started in healthy eating, it is tempting to opt for low fat foods in order to help keep off excess pounds. However, cutting out ‘good’ fats such as omega-3 fatty acids could be detrimental to your health. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish, walnuts and flaxseeds, not only help to keep skin supple and wrinkle-free, they are also essential for good brain and heart health and can help prevent arthritis.

Source: http://ph.she.yahoo.com/7-good-habits-bad-health-090000188.html

7 specific foods that will also help you control your cravings. (And then at the end of this article I have a surprising cravings buster for you to try.)

This is important because, let’s face it, you will NEVER be able to stick to any eating program if cravings are driving you CRAZY. Here are my top food choices:

#1 Avocados

Yup, that’s right, a fatty food. But this fat is a good fat and these are loaded with two vital nutrients that will quickly kill belly fat: fiber and monounsaturated fats. These little suckers keep you full for hours.

#2 Nut Butters

Peanut butter and almond butter are loaded with monounsatured fats that can stave off hunger and provide valuable nutrition. Just be sure that it’s natural nut butter because the regular grocery store versions are filled with sugar and trans fats.

#3 Eggs

Need a quick breakfast solution? Look no further than to eggs. Loaded with protein, vitamin B6, V12, A, D, E, and K, as well as folate, choline, lutein, calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, you simply cannot go wrong. Choose free range chickens whenever possible and the nutritional benefits will be amplified.

#4 Dark Chocolate

More good news. That chocolate craving that you have, it too can be satisfied. Dark chocolate is actually a powerful source of antioxidants and it contains a natural “fat burner” called theobromine that will increase the rate of fat burning that takes place in the body. Stick to a few squares after a healthy meal to crush those chocolate cravings.

#5 Oatmeal

Another great breakfast food you can’t go wrong with. If you want to cure the mid-morning craving attack, start your day off with oats. Oats are a very good source of wholesome fiber and contain no sugar at all so they will keep your blood sugar levels on a nice even keel.

Mix in a little cinnamon for further blood sugar control support and to reduce belly fat and you’ve got a perfect way to start your day.

#6 Berries

Black berries and raspberries provide a great way to settle down sugar cravings. What’s more, their high fiber content keeps you feeling full while the antioxidants and vitamins improve your health.

#7 Wild Salmon

Last but not least, don’t forget about salmon. Another food that’s jam packed with protein and healthy omega fatty acids and that will help squash those cravings and keep your blood sugar balance in check. Eat this in the evening with some wholesome vegetables and you can kiss your cravings good bye for the night.

That’s 7 foods right there, but don’t forget about veggies and beans. Both are backed with nutrition and fiber to keep you full and satisfied.

Eating more of these foods during your day will help eliminate cravings, but if you want an ever faster and easier way to crush cravings and fight fat, then do this…

Drink 2 Oz Of This Odd "Juice" To Kill Junk Food Cravings (In 60 Seconds) <== Click Here

Hope you enjoyed these tips!

Coach Josh

P.S. Is “fruit juice” bad for your belly? Not this one… (you will see what I mean)

Drink 2 Oz Of This Odd "Juice" To Kill Junk Food Cravings (In 60 Seconds) <== Click Here 

About 90% of Americans shampoo daily. One hundred years ago, people only washed their hair monthly, and in the 1950s, it was customary for women to have their hair washed and set once a week at the salon. 

A clean head of hair feels fresh and smells great but over-washing can turn one's healthy locks into a pile of straw. The average person's hair grows less than half an inch per month so long strands that have been subjected to a lot of shampooing (as well as chemical treatments, blow drying, and the elements), tend to get dried out and dull at the ends and even break off. Dirtier hair-gasp-also holds a style better.

How often you need to shampoo depends on how oily your scalp is and your hair's texture. Oil-known as sebum-travels more easily down smooth, straight hair, making it look greasier faster. Sounds a little gross, but sebum helps moisturize and waterproof the hair shaft. This is one reason why curly or coarse hair is drier. When you wash every day, you typically strip off this natural moisturizer and then have to slather it back on in the form of commercial conditioner.

Joe Murray, owner of Hale Organic Salon in New York City, tells Yahoo! Shine that shampooing a couple of times a week is plenty. "If you can't stand a being a little oily, then coat your wet hair with conditioner up to the ears to protect it and then just wash the scalp." On gym days, try simply rinsing with water instead of shampooing and finish with a light conditioner to detangle. Another tip Murray offers is to "spot clean around the hairline with a little dry shampoo. It will also help stretch the time between blow outs."

Shampooing does stimulate the scalp, which brings blood flow and healthy nutrients to the hair follicles. As an alternative, Murray is a fan of a gentle daily scalp massage and regular brushing with a good quality hairbrush.

People with flaky scalps may be inclined to shampoo frequently, but dermatologist and spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology, Nia Terezakis, MD says this can actually exacerbate the problem. "When you have a flaky scalp its not dirty, its dandruff or a form of psoriasis," she explains to Yahoo! Shine. "Use a shampoo formulated for dandruff and let it sit on your scalp for 20 seconds before rinsing." You can follow up with a separate shampoo and conditioner of your choice, "But don't scrub," she advises. "It will flake even more." 

When you choose a shampoo, Terezakis says to pick a product that is made for your specific hair type whether it be oily, dry, limp, curly, etc. "Companies spend a lot of money on cosmetic chemists and different products really do work." One exception: "Baby shampoos aren't necessarily gentle on adult hair," she warns. "They are made because babies squirm. They don't sting the eyes but they can be drying."

If you are used to washing your hair daily, it can take a few weeks to get used to a new routine. You may be over producing sebum to compensate for stripping the scalp. Gradually increase the days between shampooing and see if your hair becomes healthier and takes more time to appear dirty as a result.


Source: http://shine.yahoo.com/beauty/often-wash-hair-222900620.html

Hi Etrewsian!
This message came from my BBM contacts, so instead of broadcasting this to my contacts, I think I should post it here...
Let's say it's 6.15pm and you're going home (alone of course), after an unusually hard day on the job. You're really tired, upset and frustrated. Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to drag out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are only about five miles from the hospital nearest your home.  Unfortunately you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far. You have been trained in CPR, but the guy that taught the course did not tell you how to perform it on yourself. 

HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE 

Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. 

However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. 
A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let-up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. 
Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. 
The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital. 

Tell as many other people as possible about this. It could save their lives!! A cardiologist says If everyone who gets this broadcast sends it to 10 people, you can bet that we'll save at least one life. 

Rather than sending jokes please.. contribute by broadcasting this which can save a person's life .

Source: My BBM Contact

Let go of your grudge for better health 
To forgive may be divine, but no one ever said it was easy. When someone has deeply hurt you, it can be extremely difficult to let go of your grudge. But forgiveness is possible -- and it can be surprisingly beneficial to your physical and mental health. 

"People who forgive show less depression, anger and stress and more hopefulness," says Frederic Luskin, Ph.D., author of Forgive for Good (HarperCollins, 2002). "So it can help save on the wear and tear on our organs, reduce the wearing out of the immune system and allow people to feel more vital." 

So how do you start the healing? Try following these steps: 

Calm yourself. To defuse your anger, try a simple stress-management technique. "Take a couple of breaths and think of something that gives you pleasure: a beautiful scene in nature, someone you love," Luskin says. 

Don't wait for an apology. "Many times the person who hurt you has no intention of apologizing," Luskin says. "They may have wanted to hurt you or they just don't see things the same way. So if you wait for people to apologize, you could be waiting an awfully long time." Keep in mind that forgiveness does not necessarily mean reconciliation with the person who upset you or condoning of his or her action. 

Take the control away from your offender. Mentally replaying your hurt gives power to the person who caused you pain. "Instead of focusing on your wounded feelings, learn to look for the love, beauty and kindness around you," Luskin says. 

Try to see things from the other person's perspective. If you empathize with that person, you may realize that he or she was acting out of ignorance, fear -- even love. To gain perspective, you may want to write a letter to yourself from your offender's point of view. 

Recognize the benefits of forgiveness. Research has shown that people who forgive report more energy, better appetite and better sleep patterns. 

Don't forget to forgive yourself. "For some people, forgiving themselves is the biggest challenge," Luskin says. "But it can rob you of your self-confidence if you don''t do it." 

Source: rdasia.com

1. Clear clutter
Oftentimes, chronic stress and indecision go hand in hand. What's the connection with clutter? People who accumulate clutter tend to have trouble deciding what to do with their stuff (“I'll keep this catalogue/insurance form/magazine article until I can find the time to deal with it”). In one study, when compulsive hoarders and nonhoarders were asked to make decisions about whether to keep or discard an item, MRI scans showed much more activity in brain areas that regulate decision making, attention, and controlling emotions in the hoarders. In other words, they had a much harder time deciding.

Keep a handle on your clutter and you'll likely discover a greater sense of control over your life. Conquering clutter is a constant battle with no finish line-you must continue to make those decisions, and not put them off, if you want to stay on top of things. Make it easier by getting rid of stuff you don't need. 

2. Learn to focus and calm your thoughts
To quiet down the chatter in your mind, simply close your eyes and focus on your breath, “watching” it flow in and out of your nostrils. If thoughts pop up about the groceries, the bills, or the state of the economy, notice them and then redirect your attention to your breath. Keep doing this for 5 minutes. At first you might spend 20 seconds truly focused on your breath and 4 minutes and 40 seconds redirecting your thoughts away from your worries, but that ratio should improve with practice. This little 5-minute exercise-which, by the way, is mediation, though you don't have to think of it that way-has been shown to lower heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, anxiety, pain, insomnia, and the production of cortisol-pretty much a one-stop shop for stress reduction. 


3. Listen to hypnosis CDs.
Hypnosis may sound like quack medicine, but some research shows that it can be tremendously useful. One Yale University study found that hypnosis cut presurgery anxiety in patients entering the operating room by more than half. Other research suggests that hypnosis may be even more helpful at relieving anxiety than cognitive behavioral therapy. To find a licensed psychologist certified in hypnosis, ask your family doctor or your regular psychologist for a referral. Be sure to discuss the different methods of hypnosis available, and which may be best for you. You might also consider investing in a hypnosis CD that your psychologist recommends. 


4. Keep a gratitude journal.
If your worry book is a strictly functional memo pad, make your gratitude journal a beautiful, hardbound book with luscious paper-an object you love to look at and feel in your hands. Write in this journal for 5 minutes a day, jotting down the top three things you are grateful for that day. Make them detailed and specific. Instead of writing “I'm grateful for my family,” write “I'm grateful that my granddaughters came for dinner tonight. I love to watch them learn how to use proper manners. I'm grateful they live nearby so I can watch them grow up.” Over time, doing this routinely will help you start to notice the beauty and grace of each day as it happens. 

Life gets better when you adopt a gratitude attitude 

On day one of my self-proclaimed Month of Gratitude, my five-year-old son woke up “bored” at 5:15 a.m., I spied a speeding ticket in my wife’s purse, and our water heater sputtered to its death as I was getting into the shower. Ordinarily, I would have started grousing and the day would’ve been off to an ugly start. But this day was different. How cute my child’s dimples are even at this ungodly hour. How fetching my wife’s taste for adventure. Only 29 days to go.

Just a week earlier, as I struggled with the feeling that I’d been put on this earth to load and unload the dishwasher, I’d decided it was time to end my reflexive complaining. But it wasn’t simply the little things that were gnawing at me. All of a sudden, my friends were dealing with bad news—cancer diagnoses, divorce, job loss. Shouldn’t I be celebrating my relative good fortune?

I’d heard about the feel-good benefits of a gratitude attitude. What was less clear was how to move from griping to gushing. Hoping for tips, I called Robert A. Emmons, a professor at the University of California, Davis, who pioneered research on the benefits of positive thinking. Emmons quoted new studies that indicated that even pretending to be thankful raises levels of the chemicals associated with pleasure and contentment: serotonin and dopamine. Live as if you feel gratitude, he said, and soon the real thing will come.

He recommended keeping a log of everything I’m grateful for in a given week or month. One major study showed that people who wrote down what they are grateful for felt 25 percent happier after ten weeks than those who did not. They even felt better about their jobs and exercised an hour and a half more per week.

I was sold, but my first attempts at keeping a gratitude list were pretty weak: 1. Coffee. 2. Naps. 3. Caffeine in general. As my list grew, I found more uplift: 114. Freshly picked blueberries. 115. The Beatles’ White Album. 116. That I’m not bald.

By day three, I was on a tear, thanking every grocery bagger and parent on the playground like I’d just won an Oscar and hanging Post-it notes to remind myself of the next day’s thank-you targets: the mailman, my son Sebastian’s pre-K teacher. But soon, the full-on approach started to burn me out. Researchers call it the Pledge of Allegiance effect. “If you overdo gratitude, it loses its meaning or, worse, becomes a chore,” Martin E. P. Seligman, the author of Authentic Happiness, told me when I mentioned my slump. Be selective, he advised, and focus on thanking the unsung heroes in your life.

Then Seligman suggested a “gratitude visit.” Think of a person who has made a major difference in your life and whom you’ve never properly thanked. Compose a detailed letter to him or her that expresses your appreciation in concrete terms, then read it aloud, face-to-face. “It’s very moving for the giver and the receiver,” Seligman told me. “Be prepared for tears.”
I immediately flashed on Miss Riggi, my eighth-grade English teacher. She was the first one to open my eyes to Hemingway, Faulkner, and other literary giants. She was the first to encourage me to write. To this day, I am guided by her advice (“Never be boring”). But had I ever thanked her? Had anyone? I made some quick calls and discovered she was still teaching in the same school district, after nearly 40 years. I booked plane tickets to my hometown, Scranton, Pennsylvania, for Sebastian and me.