How To Care For Long Curly Hair

Some people think it is far simpler to look after short hair compared to caring for long hair. I disagree with this common assumption. I have had short bobbed hair in the past so I can speak from experience. When I had just freshly had my hair restyled into a short inverted bob, it did look really smart. I straightened it so that it looked smooth and sleek. However, it only took a couple of weeks for it to look messy and unkept. Furthermore, when I visited the salon every 6 weeks to have it redone, sometimes my hairdresser would cut the back very finely shaping it with scissors and sometimes it would be shaved. I did not like my hair being shaved at the back and that would grow very messy in a matter of a week or so. I suppose I should have made it clear that I did not want any shaving done.

Anyway, for a couple of years now I have been growing my hair and love long locks. My hair naturally has loose curls and I have had it highlighted blonde for well over a year now.

Here are some tips on how to avoid over styling your hair and keep it in good condition:

• If you have coloured or highlighted blonde hair and you want to grow it or keep it long, please minimise the use of straighteners. There is nothing wrong with occasionally using them, but regular use will damage your hair, causing it to dry out, have split ends and just break off. It is the intensity of heat concentrated on your hair which causes the damage. Curly hair is also more prone to drying out. I have done this myself in the past. I have learnt my lesson as I did not like the texture of my hair and was very conscious of it.
• Use a shampoo and conditioner especially for coloured or highlighted hair if that is what you have. 
• Invest in a leave in conditioner for the daytime and one for night time. I bought some Pantene Pro-V day and night leave in conditioners from a pound shop.
• Use a heat defence spray when your hair is exposed to heat whilst styling. This could be drying, straightening or curling your hair.
• Use a wide tooth comb if you comb your hair when it is wet.
• Have your hair trimmed every 6 weeks.
• Try not to put too much hair spray all over your hair as you will have to comb it out which could   cause breakages.
• I purchased Pantene Pro-V colour protect colour seal concentrate from a pound shop. It is a weekly treatment that you use when you have washed your hair. You use it just the same as a conditioner, I use it after I have used my normal conditioner. It helps to repair any damage your hair may have and protects it from colour fade for up to 8 weeks. The tube will last for quite a while as well. I use it mainly on my ends.

Now here is my step by step guide on how to style naturally curly hair:

You will need:

• Shampoo and conditioner
• A turbie towel
• A wide tooth comb
• A hair dryer with diffuser attachment
• Heat defence spray
• Hair mousse
• Leave in conditioner (optional)
• Barrel brush for blow drying (optional)
• Hair elastic (optional)
• Hair spray (optional)

1. Thoroughly comb your hair before washing.
2. Wash your hair with shampoo and use a conditioner.
3. Gently remove any excess dripping water and put up in a turbie towel for a few minutes.
4. Comb your hair using a wide tooth comb.
5. Separate your fringe (if you have one) using a wide tooth comb and hair elastic. We'll get back to that later.
6. Scrunch dry your hair using the turbie towel. Don't pull your hair down
7. Spritz some heat defence spray over your hair and if you wish, put on some leave in conditioner as well. 
8. Now give your mousse can a little shake before squirting some out onto your hand. Keep applying it until you have worked it through your hair. I don't mean smother it with mousse, just work it in by scrunching your hair.
9. In Spring and Summer I simply blow dry my fringe (detailed in number 9) after applying leave in conditioner, a little bit of heat spray for hot sun and mousse. It is better for your hair if you let it dry naturally.
10. Take your hair dryer with diffuser nozzle and dry your hair in sections, keeping dryer still until you move to the next section. It is a good idea to turn your head upside down so you can get to all of your hair and this will create volume.
11. When hair is dry, remove diffuser nozzle, remove hair elastic from fringe, apply heat defence spray and leave in conditioner, take barrel brush in hand and blow dry your fringe.
12. Apply some hair spray to fringe to keep it in place. It is entirely your choice if you wish to put a little hair spray over your hair. Personally, I prefer not to. 

Here's a handy tip. If you are struggling for time and are unable to wash your hair in the morning, why not spray your hair with water using a spray bottle. Then gently scrunch your hair. You can purchase spray bottles from pound shops. This should breathe new life into your hair.

There you have it, how to style long curly hair. It only takes about 10 - 15 minutes to dry and style your hair in this way. It takes a lot longer to straighten.

Coming soon: 

• I will add a video to this post demonstrating how to style your hair. I will be doing exactly what I detailed in my step by step guide.
• How To Get Luscious Lashes

How To Care For Your Teeth

Adult teeth, normally present by age 13, are the only set of natural teeth you will have for the rest of your life. It is often said that you can't beat your own teeth, and I believe that to be true. It is important to take a little time every day to keep your teeth in good condition. Dental procedures are quite costly. It makes sense to try and prevent problems rather than to try to fix them, which could be very painful.

I do not have a perfect set of teeth myself, but I do look after what I have. When I was in my late teens, I went to the dentist for the first time. I found out I had 2 milk teeth still remaining. Later on I had them both removed. I now have one adult tooth which is growing by the day, I'm not sure how it will turn out, at least it is not painful. The root of my other tooth is still stuck in my gum somewhere. I have a tooth affixed there and will be going to a special dental hospital soon to see whether anything else can be done with my natural root. This is relatively rare amongst the population and is down to genetics.

Here are my top tip on how to avoid dental problems

• Clean your teeth at least twice a day.
• Use a tongue cleaner or your brush to clean your tongue. This can be a haven for bacteria.
• Try to wait 30 minutes after eating before bushing, if this is not possible, have a drink of water and swill it around your mouth to neutralise the acids on your teeth.
• When you brush your teeth, do so for around 2 minutes.
• Try not to scrub your teeth, remember to be gentle. 
• Remember not to rinse your mouth out after brushing, just spit.
• Use a mouth wash after brushing. This helps to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth.
• It is sometimes said, if you only had enough time to brush or floss your teeth in the morning, flossing is the most important. Flossing should be done daily.  Floss in between your teeth and bring the floss up and around your teeth. Be careful not to use the same bit of floss too many times as it could fray and get stuck in between your teeth. Move it around as you go.
• Avoid drinking drinks with a high sugar content throughout the day or eating too many sugary sweets.
• Do not eat hard foods such as really crusty bread or use your teeth to bite things such as tape.
• Eat plenty of calcium rich foods. Cheese and natural yoghurt's actually clean your teeth.
• Chew chewing gum after eating to increase saliva production which reduces bacteria.
• Have a drink of water after eating or drinking something acidic. Swill the water around your mouth a little too. This should help to neutralise the acid on your teeth.
• Invest in a good branded toothpaste and mouthwash. I use Sensodyne Pronamel toothpaste and mouthwash. I usually stock up on them when they are on offer for £2.00 each at health and beauty retailers. They help to prevent acid erosion and strengthen and re-harden tooth enamel.

So there you are, invest a bit of time into caring for your teeth, after all they can't clean themselves.

On the way in another Blog shortly:

How to Get Luscious Lashes!

Watch this space.

Thanks!

Delila DeMonte x

How To Avoid Bikini Waxes

Before a holiday in the sun, many women visit a beauty salon for a bikini wax. This procedure is certainly not relaxing. Furthermore, it is painful and expensive. There is a much more cost effective way of removing body hair. If you are going on holiday, the last thing you want to do is worry about hair regrowth. You need something that will be long lasting. The answer is an electric device called an epilator. They remove hair from the root using tweezers or wires that go round. They do the same job as waxing, but are not as messy. I think they are less painful than waxing and are more convenient because you can use them any time you want to. They make hair grow back slower and finer than before. So in my opinion, the best method of hair removal is epilation. You can even get ones which are suitable for using when you are wet, or sometimes  they come with a little shaver for using on delicate areas that you don't want to use the epilator on. I'm a bit of a 'wimp' and only ever shave under my arms.

Here is my advice on epilation:

• There is no doubt that epiltion will hurt for the first few times if you normally shave. This will decrease after a couple of uses.
• Don't go for the cheapest one, try one that is in the middle range, or one from the higher range if it is on special offer. The cheapest ones may not be as effective and could hurt more.
• The best time to use an epilator is after a shower or bath.
• Avoid epilating just before your period as you are more sensitive to pain at this time. You are least sensitive to pain a week after the beginning of your period.
• You may have to go over a certain area of your skin again if all hairs have not been removed.
• Remember to use a loofah (exfoliator) when you shower and two days after epilation, try using a body scrub whilst having a shower. These measures should help to prevent ingrown hairs in the areas where you epilate. Ingrown hairs are hairs that become trapped under the skin. 
• After epilation, moisturise your skin. 

There you are, my alternative to waxing and in my opinion, the best method of hair removal. Now you can have more money to spend while your on holiday.

Of course I do understand that we are all different. What works for one, may not work for another.

On the way shortly in one of my Blogs:

How To Get Luscious Lashes!

Thanks for reading

Delila DeMonte x

How To Have Alluring Lips

In my opinion, a made up face with bare lips can really let down a look, lips can really finish off your make up. It is such a shame that so many women leave there lips bare.

The Basics

Most women have some hair around their lips, the amount, colour and type of hair varies from woman to woman. This can be down to genetics or hormones. For example women with very light hair may have some upper lip hair which is barely noticeable, whereas a women with very dark hair could have quite a 'shadow' in the lip area. As women get older and reach the menopause, body hair decreases but facial hair increases. It is important to tend to hair growth around the mouth area in order to avoid looking unkept. I would not recommend waxing as this is too rough and really pulls on your skin, not just your hair. Hair removal creams can be used, however they can be a little awkward and in between using these creams, you may get a build up of regrowth.

I do get quite a dark shadow above my upper lip and also have some very light hairs just below my lower lip. I would recommend using a beauty trimmer which you can purchase for under £10 from most health and beauty retailers. They are so compact you could take it in your handbag on holiday if necessary. They usually only require one AAA battery. They only take a couple of seconds to use and are a good way of keeping on top of regrowth. Unlike normal shavers, they do not make the hair grow back coarser or darker.

Lipstick

Lipstick can really add glamour to your look. The only brand of lipstick that I use is Barry M. Like all Barry M products, they are suitable for vegetarians. I could not be more satisfied with this brand of lipstick. They are available in an array of beautiful colours, stay on for hours, moisturise your lips and do not have a horrible taste. In fact, I can do without using a lip liner. You can purchase Barry M lipsticks from Boot's or Superdrug where they normally retail at £4.49 per lipstick. If you want to be really savvy, why not stock up on lipsticks when either Boot's or Superdrug have 3 for 2 on all cosmetics. They have this offer on quite regularly. Barry M also have a range of lip liqueur crayons, lip liners and lip glosses.

My top tip for lips, make sure you have put a thin coat of vaseline on your lips before applying lipstick. This will make your lips stay well moisturised.

Keep an eye out for my upcoming Blog 'How To Have Luscious Lashes'

Many Thanks!

Delila DeMonte x

Face Masques Nourish Your Skin

If you ever feel like you need some pampering, why not try an old favourite, a face masque. They are inexpensive, easy to apply and leave your skin feeling smooth and soft. You can get hold of a generously sized single use sachet for under one pound, which is great value for money. They can be used once a week. I like the Montagne Jeunesse Range and the Face Food range because they are approved by the Vegetarian Society and BUAV approved. They come in all different forms so you can find one to suit you. I like the self heating masques in the winter as they make your face warm. If you are with a friend, it is a great idea to share a masque sachet as there is enough for two even though they are designed for one single use. Once opened, a sachet has to be used.

How to use a masque:

1. Cleanse your face with warm water.
2. Apply to face and neck taking care that it is spread nice and evenly and avoiding eyes and lips. 
3. Relax for 10 - 15 minutes or until it dries. (Why not try adding two slices of cucumber over your eyes to reduce puffiness and have a lie down.)
4. Wash off with water.
5. Pat your face dry.
6. Use a special eye moisturiser for around your eyes as this area is very delicate. Take care not to drag the skin in this area, use your baby finger to dab tiny amounts of moisturiser around the eye area.
7. Moisturise your face and neck with a facial moisturiser.

Here's my top tip for the day. Why not start using anti-wrinkle/anti-aging cream even if you are in your teens or early twenties. After all they do say prevention is better than a cure. I would not recommend spending a small fortune on such creams, they can be purchased in pound shops. I am not saying that they definitely work, it is hard to prove or disprove claims, however I think the ingredients used in anti-aging creams will benefit your skin.

Look out for my upcoming Blog 'How to get Luscious Lashes'.

I hope you have enjoyed my Blog's so far! Back Soon.

Delila DeMonte x.

How To Shape Your Eyebrows

Yes it is true, eyebrows do frame your face. Too many women ruin their brows because they have been over waxed or over plucked. Unfortunately eyebrow hair may never grow back once it has been plucked out or waxed off. It is just a shame the same can not be said for body hair. I would recommend using only tweezers for your delicate eye area and doing it yourself. This is good because it will save you money and you are in control of how much hair is removed. Salon eyebrow waxes tend to remove too much hair. Sparse brows may age you and clash with your features. Remember the aim is to tidy up stray hairs and create a lovely shape which compliments your facial features.

1. First of all you simply need a pair of tweezers, a brow comb/brush, a pot of vaseline, a cotton bud and a mirror.
2. Make sure there is good lighting in the room. 
3. Remember to pluck in the direction of the hair growth.
4. Never pluck above the eyebrows, only the hairs in between and below.
5. Make sure brows are clean.
6. Brush your eyebrows up using your brow comb.
7. Look at your brows. Your brows should start slightly before, (directly above) the inner corner of your eyes. Any hair in between this area may be gently removed. Take a pair of tweezers and pluck the hair in between your brows. 
8. Now take the cotton bud and place the bottom of it in line with the corner, outer part of your nose. Place the top end in line with the outer part or your iris, (coloured part of eye) up to your eyebrow. The end of the bud on your brow marks where the highest point of the arch on your brow should be.
9. Carefully remove hair one by one from under your brow in the direction of hair growth making sure you check you are following the right track. You should be able to see your brows natural arch shape which you can follow. Remember to use the bud technique as a guide.
10. Remove any stray hairs from the end of your brow. I tend to leave alone because I do not have many stray hairs in this area and I do not want short brows.
11. Remember you can always go back and remove a few more hairs if necessary. It is better to leave too much than to not have enough.
12. Everyones brows have their own shape. You should not try to follow someones eyebrow shape because we are all individual, and hair growth varies from person to person.
13. When you have finished plucking hairs, you may want to add some definition using a brow pencil. 
14. Finally, using either an old cleaned mascara wand or a brow comb/brush, dip into a pot of vaseline so the comb/brush has a delicate coat of vaseline on. Using the brow comb/brush, comb your eyebrows in the direction of hair growth. The vaseline will keep your eyebrows in place all day and will actually condition them at the same time.
15. All you have to do in order to maintain your brows is pluck out the regrowth long enough for the tweezers to grip.

So now you know how to frame your face.

Look out for my upcoming video on how to care for and style long curly hair on a budget.

Thanks for reading!

Delila DeMonte x

How Sleep Can Revive You

Many people today lead hectic stressful lives. Too much to do and not enough hours in the day is an all too common problem in society. Staying up late to get work done is often regarded as the solution. Late nights out in town are a good chance to have fun and socialise, however this often leads to lack of sleep, especially if you are expected back in work early the next morning. It is important that your body has chance to rest and recover ready to start another day. There are all kinds of health issues which have been linked to lack of sleep. For example, you could be more prone to picking up colds if you do not get enough sleep.

In the past, I have regularly gone without enough sleep in favour of having a few more hours to spare.  As it has recently become a new year, I have made a resolution to prioritise sleep and see it as essential in looking and feeling well. How much sleep an individual needs varies from person to person. Sleep needs can alter with the changing seasons as people tend to sleep more in the winter. An adult from age 18 - the end of life needs an average of 7.5 hours - 8.5 hours in a 24 hour period. I would say that I am on the lowest end of the scale. All you have to do is assess the amount of sleep you have had in a 24 hour period and compare it to how you feel during the day. Obviously as people age, they tend to have more 'cat naps' during the day. If you are still relatively young and feel like going to sleep during the day, you are not getting enough sleep. Taking note of your under eye area is often a tell tale sign of your sleep pattern. If you have more colour under your eyes, for example, grey or purple then the chances are you need more sleep.

So there you have it, having enough sleep can make you feel ready to face another day, generally in a better mood because you are more prone to being irritable if your tired, have a reduced risk of certain health conditions and can also make you look younger ......(and save a pretty penny on under eye concealer)!

My top sleep tips are:

• Try and switch your mind off as soon as you have gone to bed, an overactive mind leads you to stay awake and you are less likely to go to sleep the longer you are still awake.
• Taking a bath before bed may help to relax you.
• Read a book or listen to classical music to 'wind down' before bed.
• A drink of chamomile tea (naturally caffeine free) may be useful.
• Cut down on caffeine a couple of hours before going to bed.
• Do not over think about going to sleep, just relax.
• Wear an eye mask in summer as it will block out early morning light which could wake you.
• If you get up during the night and go to the bathroom, avoid putting on bright lights, using a lamp or torch could be a good idea, this avoids telling your body to wake up.
• Keep your body temperature from being too high or too low as this will affect your sleep, this may mean taking off or putting on some clothing, increasing or decreasing your heating or slightly adjusting the position of your duvet cover.

Thanks for reading and keep a look out for more blogs coming soon!

Delila DeMonte x