Pamper your skin with a home made facial! March 03, 2012 15:44
These days we are even trying to make all those cakes and sweets at home, that were otherwise out of our reach earlier, as we could not even think of making them at home… then why not try pamper our skin with a homemade facial… after all who would love ourselves more than us? And for a homemade facial, you would need; Lukewarm water Skin cleanser Exfoliant Cotton balls Skin tonic Skin mask (you may also use some of our natural recipes) Optional 1 chamomile tea bag or ¼ cup of chamomile tea Clean towel Set about 30 minutes for this activity. Select the place where you will do your facial, preferably your bathroom or bedroom. You will need to lie down for the mask and will need a chair to sit down for the other steps (you may also stand if you wish). Make sure that you have everything that you will need in one place. This is a relaxing activity, so make sure you have everything handy and no last minute rushes. Make sure that there is no makeup left. Clean gently around your eyes and use circular motion. Apply your exfoliator with gentle circular movements. Rinse with water. When the water is boiling, lower the temperature if you are using a steamer. Or put the water in a bowl and bring it to the place you are going to do the facial. Put a towel over you head to preserve the steam and lean face over the bowl, about a foot away. The steam has to feel nice, although at moments it may feel overpowering. If you feel a burning sensation, stop! The temperature is probably too high for you or you are too close to the bowl. Keep the steam going for about 10 to 15 minutes. We all have black and white heads. The steam eliminates a lot of them, but if you see any visible black heads, this is the time to get them out. You may cover your nails with cotton if they are too long. You will use only your fingers or a special extraction tool to press around and get the impurities out. Most experts do not recommend touching pimples because you may spread the infection or make it bigger and leave scars later on. Be gentle. Apply toner on your skin using cotton or a sprayer. You may select your mask according to your skin needs: if you have an oily skin, a purifying mask will be great; if you have dry or normal skin, or in winter time, a deep moisturizing mask will be better. Apply the mask all over our face, lie down if you like and put soft music on. Place the cotton balls on your eyes. Leave the mask on for about 10 to 15 minutes. Relax. Take the mask off with lukewarm water and apply toner again. Proceed further by applying your regular moisturizer and eye cream. If you are going to be expose yourself to the sun, apply sun protection. Have a calming drink such as a warm decaffeinated tea or just plain water.
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Post pregnancy fat… need not live with it! March 02, 2012 12:32
Mother Hood is no doubt a bliss. But for the kind of life style and society we are living in, Mother Hood has become more problematic to many women. The major concern is, many of us are working on reducing the post pregnancy fat and that is not becoming possible. Why? The major reason would be more responsibilities to be handled by us and us keeping aside taking care of our own health and look. But, life is all about living the fullest at your choice first and simultaneously loving your loved ones. If you are up for it, then here are some guidelines that could help you to make the difficult possible, that is to reduce the post pregnancy fat; Abdominal Crunches These are the most common exercises performed to help firm up that post pregnancy belly. It's important when doing these exercises that you focus and make sure you're doing them effectively. Almost anyone can do an abdominal crunch, but most don't pay attention to the quality of the movement as they do the exercise. Place your hands behind your head (or crossed in front of you) with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor. When you raise up, be sure you are exhaling and when you lower your back, be sure to inhale. Really crunch those abdominal muscles. Feel the burn, feel the burn! The breathing helps train muscles and makes the crunch much more effective. Perform 2-3 sets of 20-25 repetitions. You should really feel your abs working by the time you get close to 20. If not, you are not getting the full benefit of the workout. Kegel Exercises Kegel exercises are convenient because they can be done almost anywhere, anytime. The exercises consist of contracting certain pelvice muscle groups over and over again to firm them up. It's important to note that if you begin contracting the wrong muscles, these exercises won't work for you. One way to get a feel for using the right muscles is the next time you urinate stop and tighten your muscles to stop your urine for a few seconds. Those are your kegel muscles that you are controlling. Do this a few times to get the feel for them. A Quick Kegel Exercise Routine: 1. Tighten your Kegel muscles as tight as you can. Hold them for a count of 10. 2. Slowly release the muscles and relax for a count of 10. 3. Do a set of 10 contractions, three to four times every day. The nice thing about these kinds of exercises is that you can do them almost anywhere. You could be driving, sitting at work, waiting for a bus, typing on the computer, you name it! You should also note that it may take a few months before you start to notice a difference so please be patient. Oblique Exercises The obliques (often called the love handles) are the muscles located diagonally around your torso. Oblique exercises are very similar to the crunch except you raise up and alternate sides. So instead of a basic crunch, you'd reach your right elbow diagonally toward your left knee and then lower back to the ground. Then do the same with your left elbow. Also perform 2-3 sets of 20-25 repetitions.
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Tone your body, Right! March 01, 2012 12:36
Right shape, right personality and right attitude, in short these can be catered as the perfect definitions for a perfect beauty… not only getting in shape, it also important for you to tone your body accordingly. Here are some tips that can help you tone your figure; a. Push-Ups - One minute b. Sit-Ups- One minute c. Squats/Calf Raises- Two minutes. Do one squat, then go up on your toes for one calf raise. d. Triceps Dips- 30-45 seconds. Your triceps are usually not as strong as your biceps so you may get tired faster. e. Leg Lifts- 30-45 seconds Repeat this set of exercises 3 times in a row for 6 days per week. Don't stop for more than 20 seconds between each set. You will get a great cardio workout because your heart rate will not have a chance to come back down to normal for 30-45 minutes. Your muscles will get more tone quickly from the resistance from gravity in your exercises. Hold a weight in each hand, stand up straight and hang your arms by your sides. Bend your knees slightly and tighten your abdominal muscles. Step your right foot forward 36 inches and stack your right knee over your right ankle. Lift onto the toes of your left foot.Lower your hips toward the ground, bending your knees as you descend toward the floor. Stop before your left knee touches the ground. Turn your fingertips toward your shoulders, press your upper arms against your sides and lift the weights toward your shoulders.Push up through the heel of your right foot, return to standing and lower your arms. Step your left foot forward next to your right foot. Step forward 36 inches with your left foot and do another lunge and curl. Continue lunging and curling until you complete 20 lunges. Your body will burn fat away from on top of your muscles from cutting back your calories, doing cardio every day, and the metabolism boost from the muscle toning workout. Follow this plan and you'll start to see improved muscle tone in your body in two weeks. Remember, it could be any form of exercise, be it dance, sweating out at a gym, swimming, aerobics or even walking… for any reason, you stop doing the same and continue eating what you want without keeping a check on your diet and absolutely not burning all those extra kilos, then please don’t even get worried about those extra kilos that make you look completely out in shape… End of the day, you would get a result of what you have done!
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White heads kaproblem? Here is a solution! February 29, 2012 12:18
Not only black heads, even whiteheads are a big hassle for that flawless beautiful skin of ours… rather than pricking them with hands, here are some more definitely better ways to follow to get rid of white heads; Get two tomatoes from your kitchen. Place it in a bowl then crush the tomatoes until it form like a pasty texture. Apply that on your face like a moisturizing cream and leave it for an hour or two then rinse it off. Water is tested that drinking eight to ten glasses of water a day makes you healthy, not only for your health but also for your skin. Water washes out all toxins and bad bacteria in your body. As a result your skin is healthy and glowing. So therefore you get rid of whiteheads and prevent you from having one. Apple is great for your skin it is rich with vitamins, eating apples can help you fight against viruses, what more if you put it in the face? Honey is known for its natural antiseptic and will help your skin be healthy and free from whiteheads. All you need to do is crush the apples until its texture is pasty then mix it with three tablespoon of honey. Apply it in the face for twenty minutes then wash it of with the use of warm water. Oatmeal can absorb excess oil in the skin so it won’t clog your pores resulting to whiteheads. Add water to your oatmeal until the texture is pasty. Apply it to your skin and leave it for about fifteen to twenty minutes. Rinse it off with cold water. To retain such gloomy and beautiful face remember not to scrub your skin hard, because if you do sooner or later blemishes will appear on your skin and you do not want that to happen. Wash your face and scrub it by using soft cloth at least twice a day. People who are prone of acne have dry skin. So, you wanted to stay away from dry skin. You need to make use of a moisturizer that has salicylic acid. This will help you exfoliate that type of skin to avoid whiteheads and other type of acne. Drinking of h20 is very effective for a healthy and glooming skin. Our skin has 75% water. Maintaining the water in our akin put it a balance to it. 8-10 glasses a day. You don’t have to worry about dry skin.
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Re – strengthen your beauty! February 28, 2012 12:34
Regretting chopping your long hair off? It is known that at any given point of time or even in today’s fashion industry, long hair is more ‘in’ when compared to short hair… and it is a Universal fact that many men would want their girl to flaunt her long hair… Better late than never, even you can re grow your short hair to that dream of a long hair… all we need is to follow at least some of these tips mentioned below; Protein is important. Since hair is made of protein, protein deficiency caused by excessive weight loss can lead to hair fragile or slow hair growth cycle. If you have enough protein, it will usually speed up the hair growth cycle. Some nutrition experts suggest that daily nutritional intake including yeast, wheat germ, lecithin to enhance hair growth, toughness and beauty. Other foods contain protein including fish, eggs, beans, yogurt. Soy protein has also been found to be useful for hair growth. One study found that soy not only help to strengthen the resilience of the hair, but also on its growth. Tofu is the best source of soy foods. Protein is important. Since hair is made of protein, protein deficiency caused by excessive weight loss can lead to hair fragile or slow hair growth cycle. If you have enough protein, it will usually speed up the hair growth cycle. Some nutrition experts suggest that daily nutritional intake including yeast, wheat germ, lecithin to enhance hair growth, toughness and beauty. Other foods contain protein including fish, eggs, beans, yogurt. Soy protein has also been found to be useful for hair growth. One study found that soy not only help to strengthen the resilience of the hair, but also on its growth. Tofu is the best source of soy foods. Lots and lots of vegies and fruits are recommended not only to maintain your figure and get that glowing skin but also to re grow your hair fast and healthier… so, just alter your diet first… Proper diet, exercise, stress reduction, rest are good tips for hair growth. You may need to add vitamins or minerals, you can also use the proprietary formulations such as vitamin designed specifically for hair care. Rest all those hair growing oils, hair massages, shampoos and the basic hair care you take can be followed with the above mentioned…
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‘Pre’ Skin care for Summer! February 27, 2012 16:14
Finally summer is ‘on’… right in the end of February, we are able to experience the power of Sun and also the adverse effects on our skin, after facing the Sun… but, like in any other season, we need to take that extra care for our skin, in summer as well. But how? Keeping your skin moist is essential to skin protection. Skin that is properly hydrated retains pliability and prevents chapped skin or scaly, flaky skin: Drink lots of water. This is key to hydrating your skin. Use the right moisturizing cream or lotion for your skin type and apply it right after drying off from your bath or shower. Avoid products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, as this ingredient removes natural oils needed by your skin. Take warm (not hot) showers or baths, and limit them to between 5 and 10 minutes. It seems counterintuitive, but exposure to water actually dries out your skin. If dry skin persists, consider cutting back on the number of baths you take Cold sores are caused by a viral infection of the skin bordering the lips, while bacteria can contribute to acne and other skin conditions. Practicing skin protection means paying close attention to what touches your skin, to lower your chances of exposure to germs: Don't share any personal items, such as lip balms or toothbrushes. Don't share drinks with other people. Avoid touching your face with your fingers or with objects like telephone receivers that have been used by others. Washing your face is important to remove dirt, oils, germs, and dead cells. However, scrubbing your face causes irritation that can lead to chapped skin that, in turn, can leave skin vulnerable. For best results, you should: Wash your face twice daily with warm water and a mild cleanser. Gently massage your face with a washcloth, using a circular motion. Rinse thoroughly after washing to remove all soap and debris. Pat your skin dry — don’t rub — then apply your facial moisturizer. Pay attention to odd freckles, moles, and growths on your skin, and consult your doctor if you notice any changes. For example, a change in a mole can indicate potential skin cancer. Be sure to treat any cuts that may occur to prevent infection. Other skin conditions that merit a dermatologist visit include frequent acne, inflamed or irritated dry skin, and skin rashes and irritations that don’t go away, as these could be signs of one of the many types of dermatitis, or skin inflammation. With proper skin care to pamper skin from the outside and with a good diet to nourish from within, skin protection comes down to a few simple steps. But should you ever notice any problems, get medical attention to resolve them quickly and avoid putting your skin at risk.
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Body massage for you would February 25, 2012 17:30
It is not all the time you yourself would take care of your body, mind and soul… at times, there are all the chances for you to get tired of even taking care of yourself. This is when, body massage helps a ton for you. To know how, browse further; Relieve stress and aid relaxation Relieve muscle tension and stiffness Alleviates discomfort during pregnancy Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments; reduces pain and swelling; reduces formation of excessive scar tissue Reduces muscle spasms Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion Enhances athletic performance; Treats injuries caused during sport or work Promotes deeper and easier breathing Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids Reduces blood pressure Helps relieve tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain Enhances the health and nourishment of skin Strengthens the immune system Treats musculoskeletal problems Peace of mind A more relaxed state of mental alertness Helps relieve mental stress Increases alertness towards stress signals and the ability to respond accordingly Promotes calm thinking and creativity Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch Fosters a feeling of well-being Reduces anxiety levels Increases the state of awareness between the mind and the body Above all these, there are many spas that offer Body massage at a comparative affordable cost. So, go for it!
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Scaly skin? No more a pain! February 24, 2012 11:50
I have experienced the pain surviving a scaly skin. I have got a relief from the same, after following some of the following expert advice. Good if the same could help you too; Dry and scaly skin is frustrating, sensitive and even painful. As stated by the Mayo Clinic, dry skin is characterized by a feeling of tightness, rough appearance, itching, flaking, wrinkles and redness. Skin acts as a barrier preventing irritants and toxins from penetrating the pores and causing skin damage. When skin becomes extremely dry, it no longer works as a protective factor and harmful free radicals cause skin damage. Although there is no permanent cure, there are some natural treatments that can help reduce and prevent symptoms of dry and scaly skin. However, home remedies are not meant to replace medical treatments, and a physician should be contacted if your skin condition worsens or does not subside. Apply 1 tbsp. of plain whole yogurt to the face using circular motions. Yogurt works as a gentle cleanser, and according to VivaWomen.net, the lactic acid and enzymes found in yogurt soften and nourish dry skin. Rinse with lukewarm water. Use witch hazel as a natural astringent after cleansing the skin with yogurt. Apply witch hazel to the face with a cotton ball. Witch hazel is gentle and will not dry out the skin. Apply 1/2 tbsp. pure honey to the skin as a moisturizing mask. Leave on the face for 30 minutes and rinse with warm water. Honey is a natural humectant, which attracts moisture to the skin and helps lock it in. Smooth 1/4 cup of olive oil over the body after your daily shower. This oil contains fatty acids that penetrate the pores for soft and nourished skin. Massage 1/4 tsp. of grape seed oil into dry and scaly facial skin twice a day. Grapeseed oil is ideal for the face because it will not clog pores and it contains age-fighting antioxidants.
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Shiny and Glowing skin of yours! February 23, 2012 12:25
At any given point of time, we all women crave for that shiny, beautiful skin… then stop thinking and start working on transforming your skin to shine; To be beautiful, your skin needs proper nourishment. Vitamin C increases cell turnover, helps protect against sun damage, and boosts the production of collagen and elastin. Serums often have the highest concentrations of vitamin C, and if you apply a serum first, before your moisturizer, the vitamin C will help your skin absorb the beneficial ingredients of the moisturizer. After you stop at a skin care counter, visit the grocery store. Glowing skin blooms with a diet of citrus fruits, mangoes, kiwis, tomatoes, broccoli, red peppers, and even baked potatoes — all of which contain a healthy dose of vitamin C. These fruits and vegetables can bring you a step closer to healthy skin! If you modify your skin care routine with each season, you'll better your chances of attaining healthy skin. Lisa Hoffman, a beauty guru and the creator of a namesake skin care line, suggests using face creams with shea butter, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and urea to lock in skin’s moisture during the harsh winter months. During spring and summer, Hoffman recommends lightweight toners, clay masks to absorb excess oil, and eye serums with high concentrations of peptides and hydrators to help prevent fine lines. For fall, Hoffman suggests the use of hydrating masks and emphasizes lip care. A lip serum with soybean extracts and petrolatum will prevent water loss and keep your lips soft and smooth. Products that contain sulfates and parabens — which include at least 50 percent of lotions and moisturizers — can actually cause dryness and irritation, the opposite of the glow you're after. Instead, choose cleansers with natural ingredients like oatmeal and olive oil. Yoga is not only good for the muscles; it can actually improve your skin. Some practitioners swear by the anti-aging benefits of yoga's inverted poses. The benefits are produced in two ways: First, circulation is stimulated, so that oxygen-rich blood flushes the body with good nutrients and removes toxins; second, you become more relaxed in the course of a yoga session, so there's less tension and muscle contraction in your face. Age spots and glowing skin don’t mix. These spots are a common, typically harmless condition, the result of excess melanin deposited in the skin. Sun exposure is an ally of age spots; maintain healthy skin by protecting it with a broad spectrum sunscreen, one that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Over-the-counter products with licorice extract or kojicacid, derived from mushrooms, often help in lightening age spots; however, if the spots resist treatment, speak to a dermatologist about creams that contain hydroquinone. Glowing skin doesn't mean shiny skin. You want to look luminous, not as if you’ve escaped a hot kitchen. Believe it or not, the best way to minimize oil on the skin is to use cleansers with olive oil, which cut grease and soften the skin. Want beautiful skin on the go? Always carry a light powder to absorb oils. Blotting papers work just as well for a quick touch-up.
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Blessed us as our hands! February 22, 2012 11:58
Blessed us as our hands are compared with that of ladies finger. Not only our face, even our hands and legs and for that matter even our skin has to be refreshing all the time. and in many instances, we tend to forget the basic care to be taken for our hands and as a result, we end up living with those dry and rough hands. Why can’t we devote that some extra time and care to transform our hands from rough to smooth and beautiful? Here are some tips for you; Roughness of the Hands, induced by exposure to cold and drying winds, may, in general, be removed by the use of a little powdered pumice stone with the soap in washing them. The subsequent application, particularly at night, of the above lotions, or of two or three drops of almond or olive oil, well rubbed in, will usually effect the object completely. The hands may be preserved dry for delicate work by rubbing a little club moss (lycopodium), in fine powder, over them. So repellent is this substance of moisture, that if a small quantity of it be sprinkled on the surface of a basin of water, the hand, by a little adroitness, may be plunged to the bottom of the basin without becoming wet. Foremost in consideration must be the subject of cleanliness. Dirty and coarse hands are no less marks of slothfulness and lowbreeding than clean and delicate hands are of refinement and gentility. To promote softness and whiteness of the skin, mild emollient soaps, or those abounding in oil or fat, should alone be adopted for common use; by which means the tendency to contract chaps and chilblains, and roughness from drying winds, will also be lessened. The coarse, strong kinds of soap, those abounding in alkali, should be rejected, as they tend to render the skin rough, dry and brittle. Rain, or soft, water is the best natural water for washing the hands, as it cleanses them more rapidly and completely than ordinary hard water, and with the use of less soap. It may be advantageously used tepid, or even warm; but hot water should be avoided. Distilled water, when obtainable, is preferable to even rainwater. In the absence of these, water that has been boiled and allowed to settle and cool may be employed. With hard water, the hands are cleansed with difficulty, and though it may be readily softened by the addition of a little soda, such an addition tends to make the skin of a delicate hand somewhat hard and rough. If hard water must be used to wash with, the only harmless substance that can be conveniently added to it is a little good powdered borax. This will also cause it to exert a genial action on the skin. Oatmeal and warm water used every night and morning as a wash will whiten and soften the roughest and darkest hands.
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‘Burns’ can be treated! February 20, 2012 15:16
Yes, it is found that depending upon the intensity of the burns, you can actually treat them naturally… let us try to know about this further; Burns are ugly, they hurt, and they are scary. But they can be treated with simple first aid steps. In fact, they are the one injury that must be treated before medical help arrives. The fact is that burns, unless treated right away, will get worse. They'll get deeper below the surface of the skin because the heat continues to do damage. First Aids When it comes to burns, degree has nothing to do with temperature. The terms first-, second-, and third-degree identify the severity of a burn. Of those, first-degree is the least harmful, and third-degree is the worst. You might not think of your skin as an organ; after all, it hardly looks like a kidney or a heart. But the skin is a system of the body, and it's the largest organ of the body, too. It's the first shield against aliens, a natural-growing, one-person army of protection, germ warfare, and elimination. If something happens to the skin, the rest of your body is much more vulnerable to infection, shock, and disease. A burn, which affects that skin, is its worst nightmare come true. Unless you act fast, a burn can seep into the skin and invade your entire body. The next few sections cover each degree of burn and specific first aid treatment for it. Before You Put the Band-Aid On Because first aid treatment depends on a burn's severity, it's important to correctly identify the severity of the burn. Check the appearance at the center of the wound. That's usually where the burn is deepest, which is your indicator of what degree of treatment is required. There is a light (excuse the pun) at the end of the tunnel when it comes to burns. The fact is that burns can be treated successfully if first aid is administered quickly. By reading this, you are already ahead of the first aid burn game. You will know how to act fast in case of emergency. You will know how to treat a burn, regardless of the degree or cause, while you wait for help to arrive. 1. Prevent shock. 2. Ease pain. 3. Reduce the risk of infection. 4. The first aid measures you don't take can be as important as those you do take, especially when it comes to burns. For example, earlier you learned that treating bruises is different than treating cuts, despite the fact that you can follow basic, general outlines for both. In short, there are always exceptions to every rule. And, when it comes to burns, these exceptions can save a life! Here's the “short list” on what not to do: • Do not pierce or open blisters. It leaves the burned person “wide open” for infection. • Do not peel off burned dead skin. It not only leaves the new skin underneath too vulnerable to infection, but it can cause scarring. • Do not attempt to peel away any clothing stuck to the burn. Pulling away the cloth can also peel away any healing skin. And, as anyone who's ever had a bandage pulled off knows, it can hurt too! • Do not use butter, antiseptic creams, or any other “folk remedies” on burns. They can actually cause the infection you're trying to avoid! None of these remedies, especially butter, will do anything beneficial for major burns.
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‘Dry’ hair Problems? Find a path to fix it… February 17, 2012 12:24
Just like life without spice and color is hard to survive, so as dry and life less hair, that is a hurdle to your beauty. To transform your hair to beautiful and add some life to it, here are the tips for you; Get regular hair trims every 6-8 weeks to trim off the spilt ends Cut back on blow drying When blow-drying, force the air in the direction of your hair growth so you don't disturb the cuticle anymore then you have to. Use Boars hair brushes. These distribute oils better throughout the hair, down the hair shaft. Use daily conditioners and even better, use a leave-in conditioner as well Rinse with cool water as your final rinse to close the cuticle and prevent further damage. Avoid shampoos that are clear in color. These shampoos are referred to as plain shampoos. Plain shampoos contain little to no moisturizer. Opt for a pearlized one that is made for dry, damaged hair. Shampoos can do a world of damage!!! Opt to buy a good moisturizing shampoo. Keep use of heating products to a minimum if possible. And always use a styling product that specifically protects hair during heat process. Scalp treatments can do wonders. Ask your Stylist if she offers this service. Not only does it stimulate hair growth and condition your hair, it feels great! Use products that don't contain alcohol Deep condition at least 2 times a week. Apply the conditioner to clean, damp hair. Put a shower cap on and hit it with the blow dryer. This will open up the cuticle and condition your hair better.Fixing dry hair overnight is not going to happen. It's going to take a hair care regiment and commitment on your part. Split ends are a loss cause but dry hair can be helped.
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