Are You Making Any of These 6 Shampoo Mistakes?

If you've experienced dull hair, limp strands, or a flaky scalp, it might not be just because of the weather. It turns out all these issues can be caused (and solved) by the way you're shampooing your hair. Celebrity colorist Beth Minardi breaks down the dos and dont's of washing your hair step-by-step when you keep reading.

Related: 10 Reasons You Don't Have the Hair You Want

Misstep 3: You're causing friction. Minardi warns against rubbing strands between your hands as you wash, which can damage your strands. Focus instead on using your fingertips to massage the scalp, where shampoo is most needed.

Misstep 4: You're repeating unnecessarily. When it comes to shampooing, once is really enough. "That myth of lather, rinse, repeat is wrong," she says. "Those were directions that were made in the 1950s, when women washed their hair once a week or less."

Related: 1 Tool, 4 Looks: How to Get the Most From Your Curling Iron

Misstep 5: You're not rinsing enough. Take the time to rinse hairout thoroughly and then wring it out postshampoo. "When [some women] come in to get their hair colored, there is still soap curd dried behind their ears because they didn't rinse their hair and it looks like flakes," she said. "It's not that they have a flaky scalp - there is still shampoo in their head."

Misstep 6: You're conditioning in the wrong place. No wash cycle is complete without conditioner. But remember to only apply product on the hair shaft (not the scalp). In addition, work your conditioner through with your fingers instead of a comb. "The comb rips your hair out." Finally, for optimal shine, finish up with a hit of cool water.

Eat This For Thicker Hair

If you’re removing more hair from the drain than usual, you may want to take a closer look at your diet: Having a vitamin D deficiency and low levels of iron could be playing a role in your thinning locks.
Researchers at Cairo University found that women who were experiencing hair loss also had lower levels of iron and vitamin D2—andhair loss only got worse as the levels dropped.

“This is the first time vitamin D’s possible role in hair loss has been highlighted,” explains Rania Mounir Abdel Hay, MD, a dermatologist at Cairo University, and co-author of the study. “It might regulate the expression of genes that promote normal hair follicle growth.” As for iron: Low levels may inhibit an essential enzyme that has been associated with hair loss in mice.

Aim for a minimum of 600 IU of vitamin D per day, 800 IU if you’re over 71 years old. While it can be difficult to get enough vitamin D in your diet, sacancer, and bone fractures. Click here to find the best dose for yo

lmon packs 450 IU per 3-ounce serving, and fortified milk and orange juice has 115 to 135 IU. And consider a vitamin D supplement, which has more than just healthy hair benefits: It could prevent heart disease,

10 Life-Changing Ways to Make Your Manicure Last Longer

1. Use a cotton swab to wipe down your nails with white vinegar before applying basecoat. This removes any product buildup or natural oils on your nail beds that could create a barrier between the polish. Once your nails dry, apply basecoat. 

2. Don't soak nails before painting them.
Manicurists do this to soften cuticles, but it causes nails to retain water and expand. Once they're painted they'll shrink, meaning your polish will no longer fit your nails. So ask your manicurist to use cuticle oil instead.

3. File your nails into a shape that mirrors your cuticle's, which makes them less likely to break.

4. Avoid getting any polish on your cuticles, which lifts the paint from the nail and leads to chipping.
Don't cut your cuticles, but you can push them back using cuticle oil and an orange stick or a pusher toolto prevent paint from getting on them.

5. Use a sticky basecoat to make the polish last longer.

6. Apply two coats of basecoat to the tips of your nails.
Nail tips are more prone to chipping (see: typing, texting, etc.). Apply another layer of basecoat to the top half of your nails for extra polish resilience.

7. Instead of shaking your polish up and down, roll it between your hands to eradicate and prevent air bubbles.
If you paint air bubbles onto your nails, they'll chip faster.

8. Don't skip the "free edge" of your nails.
Run the basecoat, paint, and topcoat around the edge to ensure your entire nail is sealed.

9. Dry nails with cool air.
Hot air keep the polish from drying so use your blow dryer on its cool setting or a fan. Dipping fingertips in ice water for a minute or two also aids drying.

10. Reapply a layer of clear topcoat every two to three days to prevent chipping and enhance shine.

5 Foods You Should Eat Every Day

The majority of foods that the many people are eating are dense with ingredients that are helping to create poor health or foods that are processed in such a way that is helping (a big helping) your health take a downward spiral if consistently eaten.   These foods should really come with a warning label!

Foods that are packed with nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, enzymes arepowerful in terms of creating optimal health and it is these types of foods that will take you to living a vibrant quality life full of energy and lack of symptoms, illness and disease – optimal health.

Here are 10 Foods You Should Eat Every Day:

Green Tea

There are a vast amount of studies showing green tea’s health and weight lost benefits.  What is responsible for green tea’s ability to prevent disease and more?  The catechins contained in the leaves of the tea plant.  Catechins are a group of antioxidants that are powerful in their protective ability against illness and disease.  Green tea is also beneficial as an adjunct to any weight loss program.  The catechin EGCG contained in it ramps up metabolism as well.

Almonds

Almonds are high in the heart-healthy oleic acid that is responsible for many health benefits including a better memory.  Almonds are high in fiber and protein and because they are so crunchy, just one ounce will go a long way compared to other nuts.

Blueberries

Blueberries are one of the most antioxidant rich foods in the world.  Antioxidants are necessary for life and are well known to reverse and prevent heart disease and even cancer. The blue color of the berry comes from its polyphenols which provide most of its antioxidant properties. Blueberries are also high in vitamin C and fiber.

Bell Peppers

Bell Peppers come in many different shades such as green, purple, orange and red.  Each of them, because of their color, adds a distinct different array of phytonutrients that will help to create optimal health.  Bell peppers are dense with vitamin C and vitamin E..both protective against poor health.  The regular intake of antioxidant nutrients such as you find with these 10 foods, can help reduce the likelihood of chronic inflammation from the typical processed modern diet.

Yogurt

Greek yogurt has less natural sugar Lactose and more protein than regular yogurt.  This means that ounce for ounce, you are getting a nutritional punch of calcium (a single cup has almost 25% of your daily requirement) and that translates to more lost body fat and better health.  Yogurt also contains beneficial bacteria that calm down inflamed digestive tracts as well as boosting your immune system.  Your digestive tract is where 70% of your immune system resides

4 Super Effective Tummy Toning Exercises

1. The Half Boat Exercise: Sit on a mat and extend legs out. Extend arms straight in front, in line with your chest. Lean back slightly, giving pressure on the abs and lift both feet off the ground. Reach forward with arms towards the knees and maintain this position for 20 seconds.
2. Seated Oblique Position: A pilates ring is necessary for this move. Sit down with leg spread shoulder-width apart. Hold the pilates ring with both hands and stretch arms at chest level. Twist your torso towards the side , holding in your abs. Rotate back to center. Repeat on the other side. Practice for 1 min.
3. Inchworm Exercise: You will need a dumbbell for this exercise. Keep the dumbbell behind you and lie in a straight arm plank position. The dumbbell should be between your  feet. Move like a worm, by gripping onto the dumbbell with your feet and simultaneously pulling your knees up towards the chest,contracting your abs.
4. V-Sit And Twist: Be seated on an exercise mat, bending your knees. Hold a medicine ball with both hands and lean back with the help of your abs. Raise both arms at chest level and lift both knees towards the chest. Swing the medicine ball from left to right without twisting the torso much

6 Reasons Why Yoga Is Better Than The Gym

Everything has its pros and cons in life. So, while I am not anti gym, I do think that yoga offers more than what a gym can on every level, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually as well.

People always ask, “what else I do” to “work out” other than yoga. The answer? Nothing! Yoga is everything my body needs to function at it’s absolute best. Here’s why.

1. Yoga Is Great Cardio

All you have to do is try a few sun salutations at a good, steady pace, matching your breath to your movement. You could also really “get moving” by trying Vinyasa, Ashtanga, or Power yoga.

2. Yoga Is Non Competitive

There is already enough competition at school, work and life in general.  While some people may thrive at trying to be the fastest in spin class or trying to run longer than the other person on the treadmill next to them, in yoga it doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing. There is no comparing or competing because there is only you.

3. Yoga Is Free

Yoga doesn’t have an upfront cost like a gym membership does.  All you need to practice is you. You can wear any clothes that allow you to move and you don’t need a yoga mat; a towel or blanket work just fine. If you want some inspiration, there are plenty of great, inexpensive yoga DVDs or free online yoga videos.

4. Yoga Is Kinder To The Body

This does not mean yoga is not intense. Yoga builds heat and works your muscles, but you’re doing only what your body allows you to do. Yoga also helps you stretch as you move through the postures and a good yoga practice builds on itself to prepare the body for the next position.

5. Yoga Reduces Stress

Many yoga classes include Savasana at the end of practice. This gives you a chance to clear your mind of daily stress. With practice, stressful situations can be dealt with more ease and overall stress levels decrease. The competitive nature of a gym along with the loud music and bright lights is more likely to increase your stress.

6. Yoga Helps You Stay Injury Free

In yoga, you learn to unite your body and mind. This allows you to move with ease and pay attention to how your body is feeling at all times, so you move in a way that feels good for you and not one that puts you in places your body doesn’t want to be. The result? An injury free, strong, healthy, whole you. Yoga slowly stretches muscles and opens the energy channels of the body. The increased flexibility keeps muscles and joints lubricated and healthy. Weights and treadmill can cause strain which leads to soreness and injuries.

7 Breakfast Foods That'll Help You Slim Down

When it comes to losing weight, results start in the kitchen. And since your first meal of the day could be the most vital to reaching your goals, making an effort to have a healthy breakfast is key. To simplify your a.m., we bring your seven staples to keep on hand and set yourself up for weight-loss success.

1. Cinnamon
Think of cinnamon as your breakfast's secret weight-loss weapon. The spice adds sweetness to almost anything—without the calories, of course. Studies show that the spice helps regulate blood sugar so you stay energized all morning without reaching for another sweet treat. Use it to sweeten your coffee or sprinkle on top of your oatmeal.

RELATED: WEIRD: THINKING OF THIS BODY PART HELPS YOU BURN MORE CALORIES DURING A WORKOUT

2. Eggs 
A hard-boiled egg is the ultimate in healthy grab-and-go eats. At just 72 calories and six grams of protein per egg, choosing this over refined carbs like a plain bagel or a blueberry muffin keeps you full and energized until lunch. For an extra filling and delicious breakfast that takes just minutes to prepare, try this simple hard-boiled eggs and avocado recipe. You're welcome. 

3. Fruit
From topping your yogurt or cereal to blendeing it into smoothies, fruit can satisfy your sweet tooth in the morning without resorting to the pastry case at Starbucks. Plus, since most fruits are high in fiber, they'll help you stay full, as well.

RELATED: 18 CLEAN-EATING RECIPES THAT TASTE DECADENT ENOUGH FOR THANKSGIVING

4. Green Tea 
When it comes to weight loss, green tea is hard to beat. Studies show that the beverage increases your metabolism and lowers your stress levels. Studies have also suggest that the stress hormone cortisol is linked to belly fat, so every bit helps when it comes to keeping calm.