How to Use Hair Gel

Hair gel is a versatile product that can help your hair hold the style you want all day long. It can enhance curls or waves, help you straighten your hair, and add texture to shorter hair. Hair gel can also make your hair look sleek and shiny and keep flyaways in check.

How to Choose the Right Hair Gel

Choose a hair gel based on the length of your hair and the style you want to create. Hair gel comes in several formulas designed for different hair lengths and textures and different hold strengths.

If you don’t want your hair to look and feel stiff, use a light or foam gel. This type of hair gel can give long hair extra body and can be used to blow-dry your hair and straighten it. If you have short hair or want a light, wavy style, use a medium hold hair gel. A strong hold gel will make your hair look shiny and look and feel harder. Strong hold gel will be visible after it dries. It is good for short, spiky styles or for holding an up-do in place.

If you try a hair gel and find that it is too heavy, try a lighter formula. If it is not holding as well as you would like, try a stronger formula.

How to Style Your Hair with Gel

To create waves, you need to distribute the hair gel so it covers all of your hair, from the roots to the ends. Scrunch chunks of your hair as you apply gel.

To create a spiky look, put some gel on your fingers and rub your hands together. Run your fingers through your hair from the front to the back of your head, and then run your fingers from the sides of your head to the top. Continue until spikes form and the gel starts to dry.

If the gel is taking a long time to dry or your hair is not setting in the style you want, use some heat. Blow-dry your hair and guide it into the shape you want with your fingers, a brush, or a comb.

Get Your Hair Done at The Beauty Bar

If you are planning to attend a special occasion, such as a wedding or party, you can have your hair done professionally at The Beauty Bar in Southington, Connecticut. We can help you choose the right look for the event and give you tips on how to style your hair at home. We can also cut or color your hair if you are thinking about changing your look. Contact The Beauty Bar today to schedule your appointment.

Should You Rotate Your Shampoo?

You have probably been told that you should change your shampoo every once in a while. The reason often given is that shampoo will become less effective if it is used consistently for a long period of time because the hair will get used to it.

While this advice is sound, the reason for it is actually different. Shampoo doesn’t become less effective with repeated use. The problem is that shampoo can leave behind byproducts that can build up on hair, weigh it down, and cause it to look dull and lifeless. Your hair’s needs can also vary depending on the weather and your specific hair type.

Why You Should Alternate Shampoos

Some hairstylists recommend alternating between two shampoos every few washes. If you use a shampoo to treat a specific problem and it leaves buildup on your hair, you can alternate with a clarifying shampoo to remove excess product buildup.

If you have more than one hair problem or a specific hair type that you want to treat, you can alternate between shampoos that are designed to treat each problem. For example, if you have thick, coarse hair and dandruff, you can use a moisturizing shampoo and alternate with an anti-dandruff shampoo.

You should also take the weather into account when you are searching for the right shampoo. Hair responds to changes in the weather, including temperature and humidity. Cold, dry air outside and heated, dry indoor air in the winter can cause hair to dry out. Heat and humidity in the summer can make hair frizzy. This is why you should use a moisturizing shampoo in the winter and a smoothing shampoo in the summer.

Another reason to change your shampoo is that companies are always working on their formulas. New and better products come out all the time. Even if a shampoo has worked well for you in the past, you may find a new product that delivers even better results.

Make an Appointment for a Haircut at The Beauty Bar

Getting your hair cut on a regular basis is also important to keep it healthy. You should get your ends trimmed every six to eight weeks to prevent split ends and damage. If you are due for a trim or would like to change your style, schedule an appointment at The Beauty Bar in Southington, Connecticut.

How to Choose a Curling Iron

Many women dream of having curly hair. If you were not born with naturally curly locks, you can easily create the look at home with a curling iron. It important to choose the right size and type of curling iron to get the best results. Here are some tips to help you make a selection.

Barrel Size

One of the most important things to consider when looking for a curling iron is the barrel size. The barrel size you choose will depend on the type and size of curls you want to have. If you want large, loose curls or beach waves, look for a curling iron with a barrel 1 to 2 inches in diameter. If you would prefer tight ringlets, look for a curling iron with a barrel ¾ to 1 inch in diameter.

Curling Iron Material

The material your curling iron is made of is also important. Curling irons can be made from several materials. You need to choose one based on your hair’s specific needs. Hair professionals usually choose ceramic or tourmaline curling irons. Ceramic curling irons disperse heat evenly throughout the hair. Tourmaline curling irons release negative ions that close the cuticle and lock in moisture to control frizz. Gold and titanium curling irons are good at conducting heat, but they will not prevent frizz.

Heat Settings

Look for a curling iron with variable heat settings. The heat setting you choose will depend on your hair type. You should use a heat setting below 200 degrees if your hair is fine, fragile, or color-treated. If your hair is naturally curly, thick, or coarse, you can use a temperature between 200 and 300 degrees. You should never use a heat setting above 400 degrees, even if the curling iron goes higher.

Have Your Hair Done for a Special Occasion at The Beauty Bar

If you would like to have your hair done professionally for a special occasion, make an appointment at The Beauty Bar in Southington, Connecticut. We can curl your hair or style it in another way of your choice so you will look beautiful at your wedding, prom, or any other special event you are planning to attend. Schedule your appointment today.

How to Use Eye Shadow Primer

If you wear eye shadow, you have probably found that after several hours it can streak and smudge. This is a common problem that has a simple solution. You can make your eye shadow stay put with eye shadow primer. This versatile product can benefit your beauty routine in other ways.

How to Use Eye Shadow Primer on Your Eyes

When using eye shadow primer, it is important not to use too much. If you do, it will not dry properly. That can cause your eye makeup to slide and smear. When using eye shadow primer on your eyes, use your ring finger to apply a thin layer from your lash line to the brow bone. Eye shadow primer can be used with any type of eye shadow, including pressed and cream formulas. You can also use it before using an eye shadow pencil.

How to Use Eye Shadow Primer on Other Parts of Your Face

Eye shadow primer can be used on several parts of your face. It can be used under the eyes to make concealer last longer and to prevent it from creasing and becoming cakey. Eye shadow primer helps concealer grab skin better and stay in place longer.

If you have a pimple, sometimes concealer and foundation don’t want to stay put. You can keep them in place by putting a bit of eye shadow primer on the pimple before you put on concealer and foundation. Then set it with powder.

As you get older, you may begin to notice fine lines. Foundation can settle into creases because of oil and facial movements. You can prevent this by putting a bit of eye shadow primer over the lines before you apply foundation.

You may find that at the end of the day your eyebrow powder looks patchy or has smudged off. Eye shadow primer can solve those problems. Rub a small amount through your eyebrows, let it dry, and then use your regular brow product. You can use eye shadow primer on your eyebrows before you use a brow pencil or gel.

Eye shadow primer can even be used on your lips. Make sure your lips are moisturized first. Put on a small amount of eye shadow primer before your lip liner and lipstick. This will prolong the color and prevent it from bleeding or smudging.

Make an Appointment to Have Your Makeup Done for a Special Occasion

If you would like to have your makeup done professionally for a special occasion like a wedding or prom, make an appointment at The Beauty Bar in Southington, Connecticut. We will help you choose the right look for your event and give you makeup tips that you can use every day. Schedule an appointment today.

How to Choose the Right Flat Iron

A flat iron can give you smooth, straight hair. It can also be used to create other styles. You can use a flat iron to create waves, curl your hair, add volume, and create a faux blowout.

It is important to choose the right flat iron for your hair type. Fine hair has different needs than thick, curly hair, and using the wrong type of flat iron can cause damage. Here are some tips to help you select the right flat iron to get beautiful, healthy hair.

Choose the Right Plate Size for Your Hair Type

Flat irons generally have 1-inch plates that are versatile enough to be used with many hair types. A smaller plate works well with very short hair or if you want to use the flat iron to curl your hair. If you have long, thick hair, you should choose a flat iron with a larger plate. It will cut down on the amount of time required to style your hair. A larger plate will also help you avoid going over the same area twice, which can cause damage.

Use the Right Temperature Setting

Using very high heat is not always necessary and can cause damage to your hair. Using a temperature setting that is too high can damage your hair and can also ruin color-treated hair. Select a flat iron with an adjustable heat setting so you can experiment and find the temperature that works best for your hair. If you have fine hair, you should use a lower heat setting. Thicker hair needs higher heat to straighten hair the first time. That way you will not need to use the flat iron on the same sections again, which can help you prevent damage.

Consider Plate Materials

Another important thing to think about when selecting a flat iron is the plate material. Ceramic is popular because it heats up fast and can distribute heat evenly. Look for a flat iron with a full ceramic plate, not a ceramic coating. A coating can wear off. Tourmaline is an organic crystalline material that produces more negative ions than ceramic and can make your hair straight and not frizzy. A titanium-plated flat iron transfers heat the fastest, which makes it a good choice for thick and curly hair.

Make an Appointment at The Beauty Bar

If you need to have your hair done for a special occasion like a wedding or party, make an appointment at The Beauty Bar in Southington, Connecticut. We will help you choose the right style for your special day. If you want to change your style or color, we can help you choose a new look. We can also give you tips on how to style your hair at home. Make an appointment at The Beauty Bar today.

Airbrush Makeup is great for girls to use when getting Senior Portraits done. No more retouching makeup in-between outfit changes!