Hope and loss have begun to bleed into each other, for me, out here on the North Kent Marshes. I spent a year walking this landscape for my book, On the Marshes, rediscovering its beauty and learning about its fragility. So now I take people out walking and just hope they get it.
The marshes are not an obvious beauty: it is a rough-edged love, full of derelict industry, broken barges, wide bays of mud; icy with blue light and shrill with redshanks’ calls in the winter, fields and scrub bubbling over with nightingales in the spring – and you never know if others will understand its appeal .
On a day which is meant to be sunny, but looks likely to be anything but, I take Peter and Gabrielle from London on one of my favourite walks – from St Mary’s Church in Lower Higham, where Charles Dickens’ daughter married Wilkie Collins’ brother, across the marshes to the shore of the Thames and on to Cooling village, a total of around six miles.
Our route is a mile from the proposed Lower Thames Crossing, a series of motorways and tunnels across the Thames which will cut right across the internationally protected wetlands by 2025, should it go ahead. I feel I need to sell the area, to say: “Look, it’s special, it’s worth something,” because now the fear of loss is everywhere.
We set off through herds of cows and cross the railway tracks that once transported Queen Victoria to her yacht at Grain. The fields are full of geese, skeins cutting the winter skies above the mudflats. In the spring the lapwings will take over the meadows, swallowing their cries as they tumble through the air with a flourish.
We climb an embankment and scare a redshank on the bank of one of the lakes, which were hollowed out by generations of men who quarried this land for chalk. Now the quarries have been taken over by scrubland, and come spring cuckoos will be everywhere, loving it up in games of kiss chase as they bounce after each other over the tops of the blackthorn – the males going “whoo hoo” and the females laughing in return .
The redshank lifts its skirt and pipes a warning across the water. The wind picks up, the rain comes in. We scrabble for waterproofs and make our way around the vast expanse of Higham Bight, a bay on the Thames which provides a feeding spot for some of the 300,000 birds that migrate down the river each year. Brent geese patrol the tidal edge: with their charcoal patterns, strolling smartly, it’s as if they are wearing dinner jackets, while a flock of knot flash a smokescreen across the sky.
The rain is horizontal now, peppering the mud on this corner of the river, where the boats turn and head out to sea. The bay is majestic, a place where you can feel the past, and understand the importance of the Thames. Here the riverine landscape is so little changed that you can sense the Romans crossing the marshes, the smugglers’ blackened ships and the prison hulks that inspired Dickens.
Gabrielle asks where the once-mooted Cliffe airport would have gone; I explain that it would have been here. “No, really, here,” and she shakes her head in amazement. The river is a time capsule here, and a vital necessity for wildlife. Seals and porpoises hunt the tidal race and kids play on the shore. They are here now, the local youth, muddied, cocky boys on bikes.
“What’s wrong with your feet?” they demand of Gabrielle, marvelling at her free-running shoes. They want to know more, but the rain is stinging and we still have a long way to go.
We circle past a Napoleonic fort and climb down steps next to the Brennan torpedo rails, an experimental missile system built a century ago. The path disappears, washed away and not repaired. We get down on our bottoms and shimmy down the gap, tiptoe across a precipice and regain safety. The rising towers of Brett’s gravel works dominate the scenery and we are penned into a narrow, fenced area, which is flooded. We wade across and Peter discovers his waterproof shoes leak like sieves. The pair are in good spirits.
“We feel like pioneers,” they declare.
The light is failing as we skirt Cliffe Creek, the mud folded in on itself like rumpled bedclothes, the ribs of an abandoned Thames barge guarding the entrance. We cross the RSPB Cliffe Pools nature reserve at dusk. It was once a notorious no-go zone, littered with burnt-out cars and fly-tipping. But the RSPB saw the potential, bought it and turned it into a nature reserve. It now has one of the highest avocet populations in Britain,This eye-opening tour brings visitors to meet the old masters and tailors of traditional handicrafts in and learn about their stories.
The marshes are not an obvious beauty: it is a rough-edged love, full of derelict industry, broken barges, wide bays of mud; icy with blue light and shrill with redshanks’ calls in the winter, fields and scrub bubbling over with nightingales in the spring – and you never know if others will understand its appeal .
On a day which is meant to be sunny, but looks likely to be anything but, I take Peter and Gabrielle from London on one of my favourite walks – from St Mary’s Church in Lower Higham, where Charles Dickens’ daughter married Wilkie Collins’ brother, across the marshes to the shore of the Thames and on to Cooling village, a total of around six miles.
Our route is a mile from the proposed Lower Thames Crossing, a series of motorways and tunnels across the Thames which will cut right across the internationally protected wetlands by 2025, should it go ahead. I feel I need to sell the area, to say: “Look, it’s special, it’s worth something,” because now the fear of loss is everywhere.
We set off through herds of cows and cross the railway tracks that once transported Queen Victoria to her yacht at Grain. The fields are full of geese, skeins cutting the winter skies above the mudflats. In the spring the lapwings will take over the meadows, swallowing their cries as they tumble through the air with a flourish.
We climb an embankment and scare a redshank on the bank of one of the lakes, which were hollowed out by generations of men who quarried this land for chalk. Now the quarries have been taken over by scrubland, and come spring cuckoos will be everywhere, loving it up in games of kiss chase as they bounce after each other over the tops of the blackthorn – the males going “whoo hoo” and the females laughing in return .
The redshank lifts its skirt and pipes a warning across the water. The wind picks up, the rain comes in. We scrabble for waterproofs and make our way around the vast expanse of Higham Bight, a bay on the Thames which provides a feeding spot for some of the 300,000 birds that migrate down the river each year. Brent geese patrol the tidal edge: with their charcoal patterns, strolling smartly, it’s as if they are wearing dinner jackets, while a flock of knot flash a smokescreen across the sky.
The rain is horizontal now, peppering the mud on this corner of the river, where the boats turn and head out to sea. The bay is majestic, a place where you can feel the past, and understand the importance of the Thames. Here the riverine landscape is so little changed that you can sense the Romans crossing the marshes, the smugglers’ blackened ships and the prison hulks that inspired Dickens.
Gabrielle asks where the once-mooted Cliffe airport would have gone; I explain that it would have been here. “No, really, here,” and she shakes her head in amazement. The river is a time capsule here, and a vital necessity for wildlife. Seals and porpoises hunt the tidal race and kids play on the shore. They are here now, the local youth, muddied, cocky boys on bikes.
“What’s wrong with your feet?” they demand of Gabrielle, marvelling at her free-running shoes. They want to know more, but the rain is stinging and we still have a long way to go.
We circle past a Napoleonic fort and climb down steps next to the Brennan torpedo rails, an experimental missile system built a century ago. The path disappears, washed away and not repaired. We get down on our bottoms and shimmy down the gap, tiptoe across a precipice and regain safety. The rising towers of Brett’s gravel works dominate the scenery and we are penned into a narrow, fenced area, which is flooded. We wade across and Peter discovers his waterproof shoes leak like sieves. The pair are in good spirits.
“We feel like pioneers,” they declare.
The light is failing as we skirt Cliffe Creek, the mud folded in on itself like rumpled bedclothes, the ribs of an abandoned Thames barge guarding the entrance. We cross the RSPB Cliffe Pools nature reserve at dusk. It was once a notorious no-go zone, littered with burnt-out cars and fly-tipping. But the RSPB saw the potential, bought it and turned it into a nature reserve. It now has one of the highest avocet populations in Britain,This eye-opening tour brings visitors to meet the old masters and tailors of traditional handicrafts in and learn about their stories.
When you're building your beauty kit at home, it's nice to have options, especially when it comes to color. Some women stick to the standard smoky eye palette and others are only comfortable with brown and beige, but there are some colors that look great on everyone. If you take a good look at your skin you'll be able to pull off any of these colors no matter your skin's shade or undertones.
Purple Eyes
For some reason, purple tones work fabulously with almost every skin tone and eye color. A lilac or lavender tone works perfectly to highlight brown or hazel eyes where as darker eggplant tones can draw attention to blue or green eyes. Adding a splash of violet to a standard smoky eye is the perfect way to brighten up an evening look without looking too outrageous .
Red Lips
No matter what you think, there is a red lipstick for any woman. But if you're unsure, orangey-reds look good on most skin tones. Blue-reds, while much richer, can be harder to pull off as they have a stronger pigment. Stick to a tone that won't draw attention to any redness on the rest of your face .
Sheer Coral Lips
Warm coral colors can be a perfect accent to a look for day or night. If you have very dark or bronze skin, opt for a coral with gold undertones and it will really make your skin glow. If you have porcelain or medium toned skin, opt for a pinker coral that will accent your natural flush To foster collaboration with government departments and industry and put research findings into practice, our university researchers have been commissioned to undertake a number of collaborative Research projects.
Flesh Tones
When we say flesh, we're not talking about the color most brands call ‘nude’ but instead the actual range of flesh toned colors. Naturally occurring skin colors accent each other perfect no matter your skin tone. Try pairing bone eye shadow with a deep cocoa liner or a beige lipstick with warm bronzed cheeks. When in doubt, draw inspiration from nature as natural tones very rarely clash.
Purple Eyes
For some reason, purple tones work fabulously with almost every skin tone and eye color. A lilac or lavender tone works perfectly to highlight brown or hazel eyes where as darker eggplant tones can draw attention to blue or green eyes. Adding a splash of violet to a standard smoky eye is the perfect way to brighten up an evening look without looking too outrageous .
Red Lips
No matter what you think, there is a red lipstick for any woman. But if you're unsure, orangey-reds look good on most skin tones. Blue-reds, while much richer, can be harder to pull off as they have a stronger pigment. Stick to a tone that won't draw attention to any redness on the rest of your face .
Sheer Coral Lips
Warm coral colors can be a perfect accent to a look for day or night. If you have very dark or bronze skin, opt for a coral with gold undertones and it will really make your skin glow. If you have porcelain or medium toned skin, opt for a pinker coral that will accent your natural flush To foster collaboration with government departments and industry and put research findings into practice, our university researchers have been commissioned to undertake a number of collaborative Research projects.
Flesh Tones
When we say flesh, we're not talking about the color most brands call ‘nude’ but instead the actual range of flesh toned colors. Naturally occurring skin colors accent each other perfect no matter your skin tone. Try pairing bone eye shadow with a deep cocoa liner or a beige lipstick with warm bronzed cheeks. When in doubt, draw inspiration from nature as natural tones very rarely clash.
One possibility is that it's linked to the decline of outdoor occupations since the turn of the century. When people worked outdoors, they were continually exposed to the sun, so their skin was more accustomed to UV light and less susceptible to sunburn. Now people spend relatively little time in the sun. When they do, they tend to get sunburned, which increases their risk of skin cancer. Another theory is that more harmful solar radiation is reaching the earth today because of damage to the ozone layer of the atmosphere .
WHAT IS IT?
There are three common types of skin cancer. If detected early, all of them are curable. About 80 percent of skin cancers are basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas. Basal cell carcinomas are rarely fatal, but they can be disfiguring if they're not treated. Squamous cell carcinomas are more likely to be life-threatening.
Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer. It can spread quickly to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph system. The five-year survival rate is 95 percent if melanoma is found early, but in its later stages, the disease is difficult to cure hong kong hotel price.
WHO'S AT RISK?
You're at increased risk for skin cancer if you have one or more of these risk factors:
Skin type and body characteristics. The most serious risks include having red or blond hair, light-colored eyes, fair skin that freckles or burns easily, and a large number of moles.
Ethnicity.White Americans are 10 times more likely to develop skin cancer than African Americans.
Age. The older you are, the greater your chance of developing skin cancer. The risk of melanoma increases sharply after age 50.
Family history. The risk of melanoma is greater if one or more of a person's close relatives (mother, father, brother, sister, child) have been diagnosed with melanoma.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Over 90 percent of skin cancers occur on skin that's regularly exposed to UV radiation from the sun or tanning lights.
Burns. You're at higher risk if you've had severe or blistering burns from sunlight, tanning beds or lamps, X rays, or radiation. Having been sunburned more than once as a child increases your risk for developing skin cancer as an adult.
Geography. You're at higher risk if you live in the South or at a high elevation .
SYMPTOMS
Basal cell carcinoma: painless smooth bump that grows slowly, often on the face, ear, or neck
Squamous cell carcinoma: painless reddish bump or patch that may form a crusted or scaly surface on the face, ears, neck, hands, or arms
Melanoma: painless dark bump or spot, a mole with an irregular shape and border, or a sore that doesn't heal, located anywhere on the body
TREATMENT
Treatment depends on the size, type, depth, and location of the cancer. Most people need surgery -- usually minor -- to remove skin cancers.
Surgery. Types include cryosurgery (tissue destruction by freezing), laser therapy (destruction with laser light), and electrodesiccation (destruction by heat). Some people with melanoma must have nearby lymph glands and large areas of skin removed as well.
Radiation therapy. Administration of high-dose, localized X rays to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy and biological therapy. Advanced melanoma is also treated with chemotherapy (anticancer drugs) or biological therapy (using the body's immune system to fight the cancer).
PREVENTION PLAN
Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk:
Limit sun exposure. Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.
Use sunscreen. Whenever you're outside, liberally apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, which blocks 93 percent of UV rays. Be sure the product contains avobenzone (or Parsol 1789) so you'll be protected against both types of sunlight -- UVA and UVB. Reapply every two hours to all exposed skin, including lips, bald spots, the part in your hair, and the tops of your ears -- common sites for skin cancer. For more information on sunscreen ingredients, click here.
Cover up. Wear tightly woven clothing outdoors, covering as much skin as possible. A broad-brimmed hat provides excellent protection. Be particularly careful if you're on snow, water, or ice, which intensify exposure.
Check yourself. Perform a monthly self-check, looking for new skin growths or changes in existing moles, freckles, or birthmarks.
These ABCDs describe suspicious moles:
Asymmetry: The mole is oddly shaped -- not symmetrical.
Border: It has irregular, notched, scalloped, or vaguely defined edges.
Color: Some areas may be darker than others, and more than one color -- tan, brown, black or even red, white or blue -- may be present.
Diameter: It's more than a quarter-inch in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser) or clearly becoming larger.
WHAT IS IT?
There are three common types of skin cancer. If detected early, all of them are curable. About 80 percent of skin cancers are basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas. Basal cell carcinomas are rarely fatal, but they can be disfiguring if they're not treated. Squamous cell carcinomas are more likely to be life-threatening.
Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer. It can spread quickly to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph system. The five-year survival rate is 95 percent if melanoma is found early, but in its later stages, the disease is difficult to cure hong kong hotel price.
WHO'S AT RISK?
You're at increased risk for skin cancer if you have one or more of these risk factors:
Skin type and body characteristics. The most serious risks include having red or blond hair, light-colored eyes, fair skin that freckles or burns easily, and a large number of moles.
Ethnicity.White Americans are 10 times more likely to develop skin cancer than African Americans.
Age. The older you are, the greater your chance of developing skin cancer. The risk of melanoma increases sharply after age 50.
Family history. The risk of melanoma is greater if one or more of a person's close relatives (mother, father, brother, sister, child) have been diagnosed with melanoma.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Over 90 percent of skin cancers occur on skin that's regularly exposed to UV radiation from the sun or tanning lights.
Burns. You're at higher risk if you've had severe or blistering burns from sunlight, tanning beds or lamps, X rays, or radiation. Having been sunburned more than once as a child increases your risk for developing skin cancer as an adult.
Geography. You're at higher risk if you live in the South or at a high elevation .
SYMPTOMS
Basal cell carcinoma: painless smooth bump that grows slowly, often on the face, ear, or neck
Squamous cell carcinoma: painless reddish bump or patch that may form a crusted or scaly surface on the face, ears, neck, hands, or arms
Melanoma: painless dark bump or spot, a mole with an irregular shape and border, or a sore that doesn't heal, located anywhere on the body
TREATMENT
Treatment depends on the size, type, depth, and location of the cancer. Most people need surgery -- usually minor -- to remove skin cancers.
Surgery. Types include cryosurgery (tissue destruction by freezing), laser therapy (destruction with laser light), and electrodesiccation (destruction by heat). Some people with melanoma must have nearby lymph glands and large areas of skin removed as well.
Radiation therapy. Administration of high-dose, localized X rays to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy and biological therapy. Advanced melanoma is also treated with chemotherapy (anticancer drugs) or biological therapy (using the body's immune system to fight the cancer).
PREVENTION PLAN
Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk:
Limit sun exposure. Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.
Use sunscreen. Whenever you're outside, liberally apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, which blocks 93 percent of UV rays. Be sure the product contains avobenzone (or Parsol 1789) so you'll be protected against both types of sunlight -- UVA and UVB. Reapply every two hours to all exposed skin, including lips, bald spots, the part in your hair, and the tops of your ears -- common sites for skin cancer. For more information on sunscreen ingredients, click here.
Cover up. Wear tightly woven clothing outdoors, covering as much skin as possible. A broad-brimmed hat provides excellent protection. Be particularly careful if you're on snow, water, or ice, which intensify exposure.
Check yourself. Perform a monthly self-check, looking for new skin growths or changes in existing moles, freckles, or birthmarks.
These ABCDs describe suspicious moles:
Asymmetry: The mole is oddly shaped -- not symmetrical.
Border: It has irregular, notched, scalloped, or vaguely defined edges.
Color: Some areas may be darker than others, and more than one color -- tan, brown, black or even red, white or blue -- may be present.
Diameter: It's more than a quarter-inch in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser) or clearly becoming larger.
and energy on our hair. And well we should. In addition to being fun to style and color, hair serves a valuable biological purpose: It keeps your head warm and helps regulate body temperature.
Hair, like nails, is an extension of your epidermis, the outer layer of your skin. It is composed mainly of protein. The typical hair cell stays with you for three to five years until it falls or grows out. Most of the time, it gets replaced. Because you spend so much time with your hair, particularly if you're a woman, it deserves good care. So here are some tips to help you keep your hair shiny, healthy, and beautiful:
1. Take one to three 250-milligram capsules of borage oil, evening primrose oil, or flaxseed oil one to three times a day. All are rich in omega-3 fatty acids like gamma-linolenic acid, great for keeping hair (and nails) moisturized, says Kathleen W. Wilson, M.D., an internist at the Ochsner Health Center in New Orleans and author of When You Think You Are Falling Apart.
2. For soft, natural highlights, squeeze some lemon juice on your hair before heading into the sun. Or use shampoos and styling products that contain citrus fruits, suggests celebrity hairstylist Federico of Beverly Hills. Citrus adds subtle streaks to your hair without adding damage.
3. Check the drain after each shower for the amount of hair. The typical person loses from 50 to 200 hairs a day (out of 80,000 to 120,000 hairs on the head). So it's normal to have a very small clump of hair left on the drain after washing. But if that amount starts increasing, see your doctor. It could mean your scalp has an infection, or that baldness is beginning to set in, or in rarer circumstances, that you have a nutritional deficiency.
4. Mash a ripe avocado (pit removed) with one egg, then apply to wet hair. Avocados are rich in vitamins, essential fatty acids and minerals that will help restore luster to your hair, says Stephen Sanna, expert colorist at the Pierre Michel Salon in New York City. Leave on for at least 20 minutes, then rinse several times. Repeat once a week for damaged hair and once a month for healthy hair.
5. Mix a few drops of your favorite fragrance into your hair gel before applying. You'll wind up with hair that not only looks, but smells, great, says Susie Galvez, author of Hello Beautiful: 365 Ways to Be Even More Beautiful.
6. Transform ordinary shampoo into an herbal experience by mixing in a few drops of essential oils. Dilute an eight-ounce bottle of shampoo by half with water and add about 20 drops of essential oil of lavender.
7. Use one part apple cider vinegar and two parts very warm water to help balance the pH level of your scalp and bring out natural red highlights. It may be smelly, but it works, says Federico. Simply pour the vinegar mixture onto your hair, massage it into your scalp, and let it dry for a few minutes. Then wash hair as usual.
8. Mix one egg with a small amount of shampoo, apply to your hair for five minutes, and rinse well. This "shampoo omelet" helps to feed the protein in your hair.
9. Men: If you're going bald, go short. One of the worst mistakes balding men make is the comb-over. A sexier, more modern style is the closely trimmed, Bruce Willis look. An added bonus: Your hair will be easy to maintain.
10. Bathe your hair in botanical oils. Available at health food stores, olive, jojoba, and sweet almond oils are all wonderful elixirs for hair. If your hair is thick and heavy, coconut oil works wonders. Dampen your hair and apply small amounts of the botanical oil until your hair is thoroughly covered. Cover with a shower cap and warm towel for a half-hour, then rinse and shampoo as usual.
Minimize Damage
11. Only spritz three times with hair spray. In addition to making you look like you just stepped out of 1962, too much hair spray can weigh down your hair, leaving it flat. Instead, try a bionutrient styling spray containing the B vitamin panthenol. It will condition your hair and help protect it from environmental and styling damage.
12. To get beautiful streaks at home, mix honey and alum, an aluminum compound sold in most drugstores. Combine the two ingredients into a thick paste and paint the mixture on with your fingertips. Sit in the sun for 45 minutes, then shampoo and rinse your hair. You should have highlights three shades lighter than your natural hair color.
13. Wrap wet hair gently in a towel and let the cotton absorb the moisture for a few minutes instead of rubbing. This helps protect against split ends.
14. Get dressed and put your makeup on before styling your hair. This way, your hair will be almost dry. Hair is most susceptible to damage when wet.
15. Shampoo gray hair every day with a blue-colored shampoo. By nature of its light color, gray hair gets duller, dirtier, and drier than darker shades, which is why it's so important to shampoo and condition it daily. The bluish shampoo helps hide any yellowish (read: aging) tinge.
16. If you want to hide roots and try a new do at the same time, zigzag your part line.
17. Allow at least four weeks between single-process color treatments and at least eight weeks between high- or low-light treatments, Stephen Sanna recommends.
18. Mix a few drops of sandalwood oil with a few drops of olive or jojoba oil, rub the mixture between your palms, then smooth it through the ends of your hair for instant sleekness and a way to instantly curb and condition brittle, flyaway hair. Or you can squirt a few drops of hand lotion in your palm and smooth it through your hair.
19. Create instant highlights by applying champagne- or gold-hued eye shadow to your hair with an ordinary makeup sponge.
20. Use a humidifier at night in your bedroom, especially in cold weather. Your home heating probably keeps the air very dry, which can dry out your hair.
21. To keep your hair bouncy and healthy, occasionally shampoo your roots only and then apply conditioner to just your ends. Then rinse.
22. To reduce damage to your tresses and add pouf to your do, dry your hair until 90 percent of the moisture is removed, then stop. Most people falsely believe they must use a hair dryer until their hair is bone-dry. Not true. The style should fall into place if your hair is healthy and well cut.
23. If you usually wear your hair in a ponytail, take it out for a few hours a day to give your hair a break. Also, try not to pull hair back too tightly. And never sleep with any sort of accessories in your hair.
Home Solutions
24. For an amazing haircut, ask your stylist to cut the ends of your hair so they're slightly jagged instead of blunt. This provides extra body and texture.
25. Make your own conditioner. Here are some simple ways to condition your hair using some everyday household ingredients:
Rub enough mayonnaise into your hair to coat it, wait up to an hour, and wash it out. You'll be amazed at how soft and shiny your hair is, thanks to this great protein source.
Substitute condensed milk for your regular conditioner. The protein provides an extra-special shine.
Mix 2 ounces olive oil and 2 ounces aloe vera gel with 6 drops each of rosemary and sandalwood essential oils. Olive oil is an emollient, aloe hydrates, and rosemary adds body and softness.
26. Comb conditioner through your hair before hitting the pool to protect it from the harsh chemicals. When you finish with your swim, rinse with 1/4 cup apple cider mixed with 3/4 cup water to help cleanse hair, recommends Susie Galvez, author of Hello Beautiful: 365 Ways to Be Even More Beautiful, then follow with more conditioner. Do the same before hitting the beach.
27. Use moisturizing conditioner two to three times a week to combat fine, thin hair. Many people think conditioners will flatten thin hair, but actually, using a moisturizing conditioner a few times a week will help your hair block out humidity, which can make hair flat.
28. Match your hair color to be just a few shades lighter than your complexion, which tends to lighten as you age. Highlight or bleach gray hair to give your hair a more uniform look and brighten your skin tone at the same time.
29. Use a gentle shampoo for oily hair. Ironically, harsh shampoos can actually lead to more oil because your scalp tries to compensate. Use a shampoo that's gentle enough for everyday use.
30. If you're trying to grow out your bangs, ask your hairdresser to add a few long layers around your face to help the bangs fade in as they grow.
31. Flip your head over, spray the underneath layers with hair spray, and shake out to instantly style your hair without rewashing and blow-drying.
32. Use styling gel correctly. Here's how to get the hold you want without looking like you stepped out of a grease pit. Place a dime-size dollop of product in the palm of one hand, then dab a tiny amount onto the fingertips of your other hand, leaving most of the gel in your palm. Starting at the back of your head near your scalp line, work the gel from your fingertips into the root area of your hair and continue until the dollop disappears.
Hair, like nails, is an extension of your epidermis, the outer layer of your skin. It is composed mainly of protein. The typical hair cell stays with you for three to five years until it falls or grows out. Most of the time, it gets replaced. Because you spend so much time with your hair, particularly if you're a woman, it deserves good care. So here are some tips to help you keep your hair shiny, healthy, and beautiful:
1. Take one to three 250-milligram capsules of borage oil, evening primrose oil, or flaxseed oil one to three times a day. All are rich in omega-3 fatty acids like gamma-linolenic acid, great for keeping hair (and nails) moisturized, says Kathleen W. Wilson, M.D., an internist at the Ochsner Health Center in New Orleans and author of When You Think You Are Falling Apart.
2. For soft, natural highlights, squeeze some lemon juice on your hair before heading into the sun. Or use shampoos and styling products that contain citrus fruits, suggests celebrity hairstylist Federico of Beverly Hills. Citrus adds subtle streaks to your hair without adding damage.
3. Check the drain after each shower for the amount of hair. The typical person loses from 50 to 200 hairs a day (out of 80,000 to 120,000 hairs on the head). So it's normal to have a very small clump of hair left on the drain after washing. But if that amount starts increasing, see your doctor. It could mean your scalp has an infection, or that baldness is beginning to set in, or in rarer circumstances, that you have a nutritional deficiency.
4. Mash a ripe avocado (pit removed) with one egg, then apply to wet hair. Avocados are rich in vitamins, essential fatty acids and minerals that will help restore luster to your hair, says Stephen Sanna, expert colorist at the Pierre Michel Salon in New York City. Leave on for at least 20 minutes, then rinse several times. Repeat once a week for damaged hair and once a month for healthy hair.
5. Mix a few drops of your favorite fragrance into your hair gel before applying. You'll wind up with hair that not only looks, but smells, great, says Susie Galvez, author of Hello Beautiful: 365 Ways to Be Even More Beautiful.
6. Transform ordinary shampoo into an herbal experience by mixing in a few drops of essential oils. Dilute an eight-ounce bottle of shampoo by half with water and add about 20 drops of essential oil of lavender.
7. Use one part apple cider vinegar and two parts very warm water to help balance the pH level of your scalp and bring out natural red highlights. It may be smelly, but it works, says Federico. Simply pour the vinegar mixture onto your hair, massage it into your scalp, and let it dry for a few minutes. Then wash hair as usual.
8. Mix one egg with a small amount of shampoo, apply to your hair for five minutes, and rinse well. This "shampoo omelet" helps to feed the protein in your hair.
9. Men: If you're going bald, go short. One of the worst mistakes balding men make is the comb-over. A sexier, more modern style is the closely trimmed, Bruce Willis look. An added bonus: Your hair will be easy to maintain.
10. Bathe your hair in botanical oils. Available at health food stores, olive, jojoba, and sweet almond oils are all wonderful elixirs for hair. If your hair is thick and heavy, coconut oil works wonders. Dampen your hair and apply small amounts of the botanical oil until your hair is thoroughly covered. Cover with a shower cap and warm towel for a half-hour, then rinse and shampoo as usual.
Minimize Damage
11. Only spritz three times with hair spray. In addition to making you look like you just stepped out of 1962, too much hair spray can weigh down your hair, leaving it flat. Instead, try a bionutrient styling spray containing the B vitamin panthenol. It will condition your hair and help protect it from environmental and styling damage.
12. To get beautiful streaks at home, mix honey and alum, an aluminum compound sold in most drugstores. Combine the two ingredients into a thick paste and paint the mixture on with your fingertips. Sit in the sun for 45 minutes, then shampoo and rinse your hair. You should have highlights three shades lighter than your natural hair color.
13. Wrap wet hair gently in a towel and let the cotton absorb the moisture for a few minutes instead of rubbing. This helps protect against split ends.
14. Get dressed and put your makeup on before styling your hair. This way, your hair will be almost dry. Hair is most susceptible to damage when wet.
15. Shampoo gray hair every day with a blue-colored shampoo. By nature of its light color, gray hair gets duller, dirtier, and drier than darker shades, which is why it's so important to shampoo and condition it daily. The bluish shampoo helps hide any yellowish (read: aging) tinge.
16. If you want to hide roots and try a new do at the same time, zigzag your part line.
17. Allow at least four weeks between single-process color treatments and at least eight weeks between high- or low-light treatments, Stephen Sanna recommends.
18. Mix a few drops of sandalwood oil with a few drops of olive or jojoba oil, rub the mixture between your palms, then smooth it through the ends of your hair for instant sleekness and a way to instantly curb and condition brittle, flyaway hair. Or you can squirt a few drops of hand lotion in your palm and smooth it through your hair.
19. Create instant highlights by applying champagne- or gold-hued eye shadow to your hair with an ordinary makeup sponge.
20. Use a humidifier at night in your bedroom, especially in cold weather. Your home heating probably keeps the air very dry, which can dry out your hair.
21. To keep your hair bouncy and healthy, occasionally shampoo your roots only and then apply conditioner to just your ends. Then rinse.
22. To reduce damage to your tresses and add pouf to your do, dry your hair until 90 percent of the moisture is removed, then stop. Most people falsely believe they must use a hair dryer until their hair is bone-dry. Not true. The style should fall into place if your hair is healthy and well cut.
23. If you usually wear your hair in a ponytail, take it out for a few hours a day to give your hair a break. Also, try not to pull hair back too tightly. And never sleep with any sort of accessories in your hair.
Home Solutions
24. For an amazing haircut, ask your stylist to cut the ends of your hair so they're slightly jagged instead of blunt. This provides extra body and texture.
25. Make your own conditioner. Here are some simple ways to condition your hair using some everyday household ingredients:
Rub enough mayonnaise into your hair to coat it, wait up to an hour, and wash it out. You'll be amazed at how soft and shiny your hair is, thanks to this great protein source.
Substitute condensed milk for your regular conditioner. The protein provides an extra-special shine.
Mix 2 ounces olive oil and 2 ounces aloe vera gel with 6 drops each of rosemary and sandalwood essential oils. Olive oil is an emollient, aloe hydrates, and rosemary adds body and softness.
26. Comb conditioner through your hair before hitting the pool to protect it from the harsh chemicals. When you finish with your swim, rinse with 1/4 cup apple cider mixed with 3/4 cup water to help cleanse hair, recommends Susie Galvez, author of Hello Beautiful: 365 Ways to Be Even More Beautiful, then follow with more conditioner. Do the same before hitting the beach.
27. Use moisturizing conditioner two to three times a week to combat fine, thin hair. Many people think conditioners will flatten thin hair, but actually, using a moisturizing conditioner a few times a week will help your hair block out humidity, which can make hair flat.
28. Match your hair color to be just a few shades lighter than your complexion, which tends to lighten as you age. Highlight or bleach gray hair to give your hair a more uniform look and brighten your skin tone at the same time.
29. Use a gentle shampoo for oily hair. Ironically, harsh shampoos can actually lead to more oil because your scalp tries to compensate. Use a shampoo that's gentle enough for everyday use.
30. If you're trying to grow out your bangs, ask your hairdresser to add a few long layers around your face to help the bangs fade in as they grow.
31. Flip your head over, spray the underneath layers with hair spray, and shake out to instantly style your hair without rewashing and blow-drying.
32. Use styling gel correctly. Here's how to get the hold you want without looking like you stepped out of a grease pit. Place a dime-size dollop of product in the palm of one hand, then dab a tiny amount onto the fingertips of your other hand, leaving most of the gel in your palm. Starting at the back of your head near your scalp line, work the gel from your fingertips into the root area of your hair and continue until the dollop disappears.
The process of inserting a dental implant not only will eliminate the problem of tooth loss or decay, but it can also restore that beautiful smile you longed for, giving you back the confidence you might missed.
For those who are seeking dental implants in New York, it is important to understand the procedure, including the benefits and risks, before proceeding .
Fortunately, dental implants are among the safest, and most tooth-friendly procedures while also the most effective. Since they do not rely on support from adjacent teeth, long-term tooth or gum decay is not typically a risk, as it often is in the case of a cap or bridge placement. In addition, the results often produce sturdier, more realistic replacement teeth that are virtually identical to the real thing.
But, as with any surgery, the procedure is not without a certain level of risk. Dental practitioners will only perform dental implant surgery on patients who are already in good general health, without any presence of gum disease or other oral conditions that might cause complications. For this reason it is important for any patient seeking dental implants in New York to seeking out reliable consultation before electing to receive surgery hong kong shopping.
Besides the obvious aesthetic concerns, missing or decaying teeth can affect the ability to speak, the ability to chew as well as one's general dental health. One missing tooth often leads to many more or some form of advanced decay or disease. For this reason, dental implants in New York have become a reliable, attractive solution for many area residents .
For those who are seeking dental implants in New York, it is important to understand the procedure, including the benefits and risks, before proceeding .
Fortunately, dental implants are among the safest, and most tooth-friendly procedures while also the most effective. Since they do not rely on support from adjacent teeth, long-term tooth or gum decay is not typically a risk, as it often is in the case of a cap or bridge placement. In addition, the results often produce sturdier, more realistic replacement teeth that are virtually identical to the real thing.
But, as with any surgery, the procedure is not without a certain level of risk. Dental practitioners will only perform dental implant surgery on patients who are already in good general health, without any presence of gum disease or other oral conditions that might cause complications. For this reason it is important for any patient seeking dental implants in New York to seeking out reliable consultation before electing to receive surgery hong kong shopping.
Besides the obvious aesthetic concerns, missing or decaying teeth can affect the ability to speak, the ability to chew as well as one's general dental health. One missing tooth often leads to many more or some form of advanced decay or disease. For this reason, dental implants in New York have become a reliable, attractive solution for many area residents .
