How to Choose the Right Hairstyles for Special Occasions

Women have the desire to have their hair looking gorgeous each and every day and that is why female consumers spend billions of dollars each year buying hairstyling products. Women spend all this money on products to straighten, curl, highlight, color, smooth the frizzes, add body, moisturize and of course may them look their best on a daily basis. However, then comes those special occasions such as the holidays, proms, weddings and even a special Valentine's Day dinner when they desire to look even more glamorous and stunning. A special occasion can be any time that you desire to look your utmost best and have a new dress and hairstyle to match.

No matter what hairstyle you now have and no matter the length of your hair, you can find many wonderful and gorgeous hairstyles that will have everyone believing you spent hundreds of dollars going to the salon.

Long hairstyles have been in fashion for a very long time and with long hair, you can find many ways to style your hair that will reflect your own beauty and the aura of any special occasion. With long hairstyles you can braid, wear up-styles, or have it long and flowing which is very romantic. The idea that you create with your long hairstyle has a lot to do with the type of special occasion that you will attend. You can achieve a business look, a fairy tale princess look, or a diva look all by just styling your long hair in different fashions.

Medium hairstyles and short hairstyles can be just as much fun and beautiful as long hairstyles. The idea is to decide if you prefer your hair down or in an up-sweep. Either style will work for all hairstyles. Adding braids and flowers to medium hairstyles and short hairstyles will give you an elegant look that will not be like your every day hairstyle and you will be as charming and elegant as any one at the event.

If you are planning on attending your senior prom or your best friends wedding you may wish to have a style that is a bit more elegant. You can find prom hairstyles that will absolutely look stunning with long hairstyles, medium hairstyles, and short hairstyles. There are even some wonderful up-styles, which look great for short hairstyles without having to purchase extensions.

Wedding hairstyles are as glamorous as you wish them to be. You can choose from simple to elaborate and from styles such as Grecian Up-style to long and flowing. According to the length of hair of each person in the wedding party, you will have to work to create wedding hairstyles that will help each member look as if they were walking out of a magazine.

Sexiest Hairstyles For Long Hair

While looking for hairstyles for long hair, you'll realize that there are many options that are available to you. With so many choices available, the key will be finding the one that best suits you.

With lots of hair to play with, you can experiment with a wide variety of looks. For instance, try putting your hair up in a fashionably untidy bun. Don't scrape your hair back from you face, but instead leave a few tendrils loose and finger-comb the rest into a loose knot at the back of your neck. This is a wonderful look for a casual afternoon outing or a day around the house. Try a figure-8 bun for something edgy and a chignon for those nights when you want a touch of elegance.

For a sleekly professional hairstyle, why not consider using the Sedu flat iron? Sedu products have a reputation for leaving hair sleek and shiny with a minimum of time and effort invested.

Through the use of moisture in every step of the styling process, the Sedu flat iron ensures that your hair does not end up flat and lifeless. This flat iron uses Sedu's trademark ceramic plates to smooth out hair without leaving it looking dull. You can also use the Sedu flat iron to flip your hair and put waves into it; combine this treatment with hair that has been cut into layers for an especially dynamic look.

When speaking with your stylist about hairstyles for long hair, run the idea of layers past her. Layers can add a lot of personality to your look, and as well as being easy to care for, they can enhance and flatter the shape of your face. When you tie your hair back, layers fall down to frame your face and soften its angles. Layers can also lengthen a face that's round and add accents to the existing planes and angles.

If you'd rather not to commit to layers, consider getting bangs cut into your hair. Avoid thin bangs that fall straight down, as this can give your face a rather boxy look, but heavy, side-parted bangs are ideal for a look that's both fun and professional. Thick bangs that are combined with soft layers create a lovely look, and are easy to grow out if you decide to try another style.

There are many options for women looking for new hairstyles for long hair so find the one that's right for you today!

African American Healthy Hair Care: The Basics

Hair is big business, particularly in the African American community, where hair types and styles are so versatile: Short, long, curly, wavy, kinky, straight, natural, braided, twisted, locked, color treated, texturized, and relaxed.

Regardless of one's hair type or preferred style; including weaves and extensions, proper basic care is essential for healthy African American hair:

  • Strong hair that does not easily break.
  • Hair that grows--Hair growth and hair length are not necessarily synonymous. Everyone's hair has different growth cycles. The life span of some individuals' hair is approximately one year, before new hair pushes out the existing. This results in around six inches of length. Other individuals' hair has the life span of several years, resulting in length well over two feet!
  • Hair that has sheen.
  • A healthy, clean scalp.

To obtain a healthy head of African American hair, as described above, basic care is necessary, and includes:

1. Proper diet and exercise.

2. Thorough shampooing and conditioning.

3. Efficient moisturizing.

Proper Diet and Exercise

As cliched as it sounds, proper diet and exercise are the gateway for many desirable traits, such as proportioned weight, high energy level, nice skin, etc. Proper nutrition and exercise are often over looked when it comes to care of the tresses because so many cosmetic and chemical options are available to obtain a certain look.

Exercise stimulates the entire body, including the hair follicles, and aids in healthy hair growth. The proper amount of exercise releases healthy hormones and endorphins which relieve stress, fight fatigue, and as a result, help promote healthy tresses. Brisk walking, light jogging, moderate bicycling, and other cardiovascular exercises, 3-5 times a week, for 30 minutes to an hour, provide the proper amount of exercise for most healthy adults. However, one should always consult with a physician before implementing any new exercise regiments.

A diet with sufficient amounts of omega nutrients greatly contributes to healthy African American tresses. Foods rich with these nutrients include: Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, cauliflower, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, romaine lettuce, cabbage, brussel sprouts, avocados, strawberries, cantaloupe, blackberries, pinto beans, kidney beans, tuna, white fish, blue fish, Pollock, and mackerel. Keep in mind, having excessive amounts of omega nutrients can have an adverse affect. One should also consult with a physician to get an idea of the right amount of omega nutrients to include in one's diet.

Thorough Shampooing and Conditioning

While most African Americans do not require as frequent shampooing as other groups, not shampooing enough results in clogged hair follicles. A build up of dirt and grime contributes to breakage and diminished growth.

The frequency of shampooing depends on several factors, including: The amount of hair one has; the amount of products, such as moisturizers, oils, gels, and other styling agents, that are applied to the tresses; one's life style, including the frequency and intensity of exercise, and the amount of oil one's hair naturally produces. A good quality shampoo is to be used to help promote healthy hair. Shampoos, used in professional beauty salons, are particularly fortified with vitamins and moisturizers that help keep the tresses strong, yet pliable. Every shampooing should be followed with a quality conditioning treatment, which also helps the hair stay strong, yet flexible. There are several types of conditioning treatments, including: Moisturizing, strengthening, and stimulating. Depending on one's hair type or style, several conditioning treatments may be necessary at one time. A licensed stylist is the best source for determining which type of conditioner(s) is necessary for individuals. A professional can also determine the best application process for producing the best results.

Efficient Moisturizing

Most African American hair types do not produce the amount of natural moisturizer found in other hair types. Therefore, it is necessary for many African Americans to regularly moisturize their tresses. Like with shampooing and conditioning, the amount of moisturizer depends on several factors, including hair type and style. Additionally, the type of moisturizer plays a big role in contributing to healthy African American hair. Some African American hair styles and types thrive when an oil moisturizer is used. Other African American styles and types respond better with cream moisturizers. Still, others do better with lotions or pomades. Again, a licensed professional is the best source for recommending a moisturizer for one's particular type and style.

Regardless of how you wear your hair, invest time in exercising, meal planning, and the proper hair care regiment; including a schedule of shampooing, conditioning, and moisturizing. Healthy hair is a reflection of one's overall health, in addition to looking good!