​Hair serums have become an important ingredient in our arsenal of hair products and for very credible reasons. While we know that hair serums are extremely effective in tackling dry and fizzy hair, did you know that there are specific hair serums suited for different kind of hair, you can use them to prevent hair breakage and you can also make hair serums at home that can be highly beneficial for your hair.

Read on as we tell you how to pick the best serums for your hair and how you can make it the best multi-purpose product for your hair.

How to pick the right hair serum for your hair?

There are tonnes of hair serums available in the market. Hair serums add shine, reduces frizz and dryness and works best for long and medium hair length. Hair serums are basically silicone-based product that coats the surface of your hair and gives your hair softness and shine and prevents it from getting tangled.

Read the composition of the serum carefully
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While it is true that silicon is the main ingredient in most hair serums, you need to pay attention to what are the other ingredients in your frizz fighter too. For instance if you have very dry and frizzy hair, you should opt for a hair serum that is infused with oils like castor, rosewood and marula that will provide intense hydration to your locks while adding that lustre and sheen.

Serums for different hair types
There are serums suited for specific hair types and purposes. Here’s your guideline to picking the right hair serum for your strands.

Serums suited for split-end rid hair                                              
Split ends make our manes prone to breakage and frayed. If you have too many split ends, hair serum is a must to improve the appearance of your hair. But, make sure you pick hair serums that contain keratin as keratin is known to repair annoying split ends and prevent strands from splitting.
 
Serums suited to protect against heat and pollution
We live in hot and humid climates, and If you need to go out in the sun on regular basis, you need to take extra care of your strands. Pick hair serums that contain lavender and jojoba oils as these oils prime and nourish your hair along with adding the sheen. Lavender oil smoothens and detangles your hair and also protects against heat. Such serums are also extremely lightweight and absorbs into the hair quickly.

Serums for chronically dry hair
Excessively dry hair needs extra care and nutrition. Good news is that now there are serums available that can be applied overnight and kept that can revitalize your hair while you get your beauty sleep. Make sure thought that these serums are cream based and not oil based so that that they don’t weigh down your hair instead of moisturizing it. You can apply overnight serums to both damp and dry hair and wake up with nourished and shiny hair.
 
Serums for thick and textured hair
If you have thick and textured tresses you are going to need a hard working serum that will give your hair that extra hydration. Pick up serums infused with argan and Moroccan oils to tame your tresses and give it a healthy shine.

Serums for curly hair
Curls automatically tend to get more frizzy and difficult to manage. The best serums for wavy and curly hair are those that have intense moisturizing properties. You must have heard a hundred times that serums can work wonders on dull and lifeless tresses. Curly hair however needs a tad bit more attention. So to keep those curls bouncy and glossy and bring them back to life, pick serums laden with hydrating oils like jojoba, argan, sweet almond  and marula.

Serums for coloured hair
For those of you who have coloured or chemically treated hair, there are lightweight cream based hair serums available in the market which besides silicone contain ingredients  like jojoba, argan and coconut oil along with green tea extracts . These work perfectly for coloured and chemically processed hair.
 
Use and Purpose of Serum
The primary purpose of hair serum is to make your locks look shinier, less knotted and healthier. This happens as the serum absorbs and reflects light, it makes you hair look glossier, while also making a protective coat on the hair thus protecting your hair from dust, pollutants and ultra violet rays.

Most people use hair serum to revive damaged and brittle hair. Serum restores shine in dull and dry hair and prevents hair from getting tangled up.

While a lot of us see serums as that instant magical product that works as a pick-me-up for our tresses, it needs to be understood that serums serve multiple purposes and come in two distinct varieties. While our regular daily serum is best applied on damp or towel-dried hair, if you are using it specifically for styling purposes serum needs to be applied on  dry hair.

We give you a low-down on the different kinds of hair serums and the steps to use them perfectly.

Always wash your hair prior to applying serum
The rule of thumb is to apply serum only on shampooed hair. Applying serum on unwashed hair will only weigh down the strands, make them appear thinner and oilier and attract more dust and grime znd even cause dandruff. Understand that serum is not just a styling product, it is a vitalizer and provides nourishment to your hair. But that can only happen when the serum is able to reach the roots and strands. Unwashed hair prevents that from happening.
 
Do not use excessive amounts of serum
Serums are primarily a concoction of water, essential oils and revitalizing chemicals. Applying too much of hit can make your hair greasy and unnecessarily heavily which basically cuts down the volume of your hair. For medium length hair, use 1-2 drops  of serum and for longer hair, use 3-4 drops of serum.

How to use serum on wet hair
Squirt out a teardrop amount of serum on your palm. Now, gently blot the hair serum between your palms and massage it onto the partings and ends of the hair. Experts say serums work best on damp hair, remember damp not dripping wet. Flip your hair forwards and start applying hair serum in the vertical direction going from tips to roots. Make sure to massage the tips well to prevent occurrence of split ends. Now flip the hair back. Squirt two to three more drops of hair serum on your palms and now massage it onto your scalp.  Let the serum settle down for a minute and then go on to dry or style your hair. The serum will act as a heat protectant, prevent the tangles that often crop up in wet hair and allow you to style your hair more efficiently. Also remember that blow drying your hair is absolutely essential  when you apply as wet, serum treated scalp can cause dust and grime to stick to the scalp and that cannot mean good news.

How to use serum on dry hair
A lot of hair expert also use hair serum to help a hairstyle hold better as hair serums are a healthy alternative to hair mousse which tend to dry out the hair and weaken them. Take 3-4 drops of serum on the palm of your hand. Now start applying serum to the back of your hair first and then come to the front and midsection of the hair so that too much serum does not ruin your hairstyle. If after application you feel that your tresses are still looking dull and lifeless, take a drop or two more of serum and apply it to the sides and front of your hair. Your hair will radiate shine and have a healthy appearance to them. Be very very careful not to go overboard with serum too, as that can lead to your tresses look limp rather than lustrous.

In hair serums the right product and quality matters
When it comes to picking up the right serum, you may need to do a little trial and error before you figure out a serum that works perfectly on your hair.  Keep the above mentioned composition guidelines in mind when choosing the right serum for your hair type. Always opt for a good brand when it comes to serums even if they are a little expensive to get the desired results for your hair.

Once you have figured out which hair serum works best for you, consider investing in complementary hair products  like shampoo and conditioner too to derive a hair care routine that works best for your hair.

Home-made serums
If you are having problems identifying and finding the best hair serum for your hair type, you will be happy to know that you can make some very effective hair serums at home too.

Lemon and coconut oil serum for oily hair
Oils like lemon oil, coconut oil, peppermint oil and jojoba oil are lighter and are a perfect hair serum base for those with oily hair. These oils help to curb the production of the sebaceous gland which produces sebum which in turn cause the excessive oiliness and greasiness in the hair.

1. To make the serum, mix few drops of any jojoba or peppermint oil with 100 ml of lemon or coconut oil.
2. Now shake the mixture well and store it in a bottle where it won’t be exposed to too much of sunlight. You can also choose to store the mixture in an opaque bottle.
3. Use this  home made serum during the day to tame those stubborn  fly-aways or use it at night before going to bed to nourish your hair and scalp and help retain its moisture.

​Castor oil hair serum for dry hair
Castor oil is one of the richest hair oils, which also makes it one of the finest moisturizing agents for your scalp and hair. Dry hair often leads to split ends which eventually result in breaking of strands and hair loss. This home made serum will help you  tackle dry hair and restore moisture and sheen back to your hair.

1. Take 100 ml of castor oil and mix it with rosewood or lavender oil which complement the properties of castor oil.
2. Shake well and store it an airtight bottle.
3. In case you feel the consistency of the serum to be too dense and heavy add a few drops of coconut oil to lighten the consistency.
4. Massage it onto your scalp and leave it overnight to get beautiful and lustrous locks without split ends and dryness. You can also apply it twice or thrice in a week post a shower on damp hair before blow-drying or using a straightening rod or curling iron as this serum will also provide heat protection to your mane.

Aloe vera gel and lavender oil serum for brittle hair
Lavender oil is a miracle remedy for brittle hair. The concoction of lavender oil and aloe vera gel not only helps to restore health back in damaged hair but also promotes hair growth.

1. Pour a cup of water in a pan and bring it pot boil.
2.  Add a tablespoon each of  dried fenugreek and fresh basil leaves to the boiling water. Both these herbs are extremely easy to source.
3. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for another 15 minutes.
4. Strain out the concoction and then let it cool down.
5. Once cooled, add it to the aloe vera gel and mix.
6. Now mix this with 100 ml of lavender oil.
7. Shake well and store in an airtight bottle.
8. Apply this serum every alternate day on damp hair or just before hitting the bed to make brittle hair stronger, well-nourished and curb hairfall.

Avocado oil hair serum for shiny hair
Like your mane shiny and silky? We give you the perfect formulae.

1.  Take 4 tablespoons of avocado oil and 2 tablespoons of almond oil, argan oil , grapeseed oil and jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is added to a lot of serums as it helps to get the perfect consistency.
2. Mix all of these oils in a vessel, pour into a dark glass or opaque bottle which will prevent the concentration from directly being exposed to the sunlight.
3. Shake well and store

 
The concentration will work like magic on your tresses and is lightweight enough to be used during daytime as well.
 

This first appeared on Femina

On the 25th May, the General Data Protection Regulations, known as the GDPR, went into effect.

We have produced a privacy policy, which gives you more information.  Please hit the link below:

Privacy Policy

You can rest assured that your data will always be handled with the upmost of care and we will not share it with any other company.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards,
Brian Fisher

Grey hair – you either love it or hate it, show it off or hide it away. According to research, different ethnic groups will generally go grey at different times. Caucasians tend to start from the mid-30s, while ethnic hair tends to go grey only after 50. Contrary to popular belief, stress has not been shown to be linked to hair going prematurely grey, but genes can play a large role. Your children are more likely to go prematurely grey if you or your partner did.
 
Reasons for going prematurely grey:

• Vitamin B12, zinc and copper are needed to nourish your hair and to help in the metabolic processes involved in giving your hair its natural color. If you are deficient in vitamin C and E, you are more likely to go prematurely grey.
• Smoking results in the development of free radicals in your body, which in turn causes oxidative stress in the body. This can lead to a decrease in the pigmentation capacity of melanin, resulting in grey hair.
• Junk and processed foods accelerate aging, as these increase the oxidative stress and AGEs (advanced glycation endproducts), which accelerate aging and the loss of hair colour.

“Hair doesn’t turn white overnight,” says ethnic hair expert from Tanaz Hair Body and Nails, Brian Warfield. “The pigment can stop being produced while the strand is still growing, so you will find that a strand of hair can be half the original color and half white. My experience is that the strands that turn white become very smooth and resistant to color and chemicals. It’s like the cuticle is no longer there; chemicals don’t penetrate the way they used to, and the texture becomes wiry. ”Co-owner of Tanaz Hair Body and Nails, and hair specialist, Shelene Shaer, explains that all hair is made up of protein and keratin, with cuticles that overlap the hair. “Hair growth cycles can be anywhere from two to seven years, growing around 1cm a month.

As we age, the hair follicles become thinner, and some close up, so we have less hair. ”She adds that there are many amazing new products on the market that can slow this process down, although they tend to need continual use.
 
Color or grey

The good news is that grey hair has become a big trend, and many celebrities are sporting grey or silver hair – including those who don’t have any natural grey of their own! However, says Warfield, if you don’t like your white hair, you can opt for color. Make sure the color you use states that it will cover grey completely, otherwise the white hairs will turn out lighter than the strands that are not white. “If you go to a professional stylist, they must know that in order to cover white hair, they need to mix a base shade into their formula. For example, red shades on their own generally don’t cover white hair completely, and can turn pink. But if you mix a base shade of brown at the level you are targeting, then it will give the red something to hold onto and you will get better coverage with your color. Shaer suggests a number of ways to color grey hair.

“One is blanket color; this is when the color is solid and you will only get to see your regrowth. Inoa Loréal launched a color about four years ago that is a translucent – in other words, it colors the hair but it has a slight babylight effect, so the hair looks more natural. The grey gets about 80% colored and I love this. Another option is to add babylights of your natural color into your hair, and this way you maintain some grey, but it looks less. If you are struggling with the upkeep, consider keeping out a grey streak in front, to disguise the grey. ”With ethnic hair, Warfield recommends that if you relax your hair and your white hair goes yellow, use a silver shampoo after the relaxer to neutralize the yellow. “The more white hair you have, the more you need to moisturize it, as this will help to keep it under control. Use heat when doing your moisturizing treatment, to aid penetration of the product. The higher the percentage of white hair on your head, the shorter your cut should be. It helps to do a very stylish short cut, as this will take attention away from the white hair.
 
How to manage your hair:

According to Warfield, white hair needs more heat when it comes to styling, in order to get it straight. “Chemicals will still work (ie relaxers), but they may take longer and can give the hair a yellowish tinge. Sometimes, and this depends on the individual, going natural is an option that could be considered, especially if the texture of the white hair is very coarse and resistant. I’ve found that it’s very difficult to make your hair do something it doesn’t want to.”

With grey hair in general, colour takes longer, and stronger chemicals are needed to penetrate it, notes Shaer. “You will need to relearn how to manage your hair. It requires more work and styling, and the cut becomes so important, as styled hair is much easier to manage.” Colouring your hair generally softens the grey, she says. Hair oils and anti-frizz products will also help.
 
Why doesn’t my hair work for me anymore?

“Grey hair is like having a stranger move in; the way you style, cut and blow becomes so different. Shampoos with vitamins and lustre are important,” says Shaer.“Mind you, not all textures react the same way. Some are easier to work with than others, so not everyone will experience the same levels of frustration,” Warfield adds. Should you be battling with the changes in your hair, ask your stylist to teach you how to manage your “new” hair. You may find that you need to spend more time blowdrying; your cut and style will go a long way towards helping you to look and feel good. Contemplating doing box color? Click here to find out whether or not you should.
 

This first appeared on Longevity
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It was only a generation ago (give or take) that a basin-cut was still a legitimate men’s hairstyle for some barbers. Before the barbershop renaissance in the 21st century, the trade often amounted to a hairy half hour in the chair as someone with minimal training took a hack-it-and-hope approach to your head.

A lot has changed. These days even high-street barbers are capable of creating haircuts akin to artwork, using tools that wouldn’t look out of place in an operating theatre.

Case in point: the taper fade.

This modern haircut element is the perfect mix of classic and contemporary, providing the ideal foundation upon which to build almost any style. As sharp on a LinkedIn bio as it is on a Tinder one, it’s a next-level barbering technique and one that will get you noticed. But just what exactly is it?

Taper Vs. Fade:
What’s The Difference?

The first thing to understand about the taper fade is that it is actually an amalgamation of two different barbering tricks – somewhat unsurprisingly, the taper and the fade.

These two cutting methods are similar in that they both offer a way to graduate smoothly between differing lengths of hair. The distinction between the two is that a taper deals with longer hair and sculpts using both scissors and clippers, while a fade is performed with clippers only and is much shorter, right down to the skin usually.

Leading barber Joe Mills, of Joe & Co., has a handy analogy to make it clear.

“Think about trousers that taper, says Mills. “They gradually get narrower. So, in haircut terms, a taper is not down to skin but the hair gradually gets shorter. A fade is similar but fades away entirely, hence the term ‘skin fade’. It’s more extreme than a taper.”
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What Is A Taper Fade Haircut?

Combining a taper with a fade allows barbers to neatly transition from hair of a significant length, right down to a skin fade with – quite literally – razor-sharp precision. This creates the sort of modern, polished look that would have had the hairdressers of yesteryear scratching at their butchered barnets in astonishment.

How Did The Taper Fade Become Popular?

Both tapered and faded styles have had a huge resurgence over the past few years, thanks in no small part to certain period dramas opening men’s eyes to a new (or old) style of grooming.

“It descended from the old days when hair clippers were hand powered and you could only go short,” explains Mikey Pearson, director of Manifesto barbershop. “They would cut along the hairline to create a kind of wedge then blend it in with scissors. If hair flicked out from above the ears you would be classed as ‘scruffy’.”

The taper fade harks back to this, while keeping one foot firmly planted in the here and now, making it the trim of choice for so many contemporary, style-conscious gents.

“It’s a clean, crisp look,” says Pearson. “And thanks to the likes of the Peaky Blinders we’re seeing more and more men asking for it.”

Is It For You?

The taper fade is a versatile trim, because it’s essentially a boss-level version of the short back and sides. It can be worn with anything from a short crop to an all-singing, all-shiny pompadour on top. Because of this versatility, it’s a cut that can be adapted to suit most face shapes.

However, if you’re cursed with a boat race longer than Seabiscuit’s and want to try this style, you’re best advised to steer clear of anything with too much height. The close-cut sides and length left on top mean that the taper fade naturally lends the face some additional length. Which, unless you’re deliberately going for the equine vibe, is probably something to avoid.

“The taper fade is suited to most as you can adapt the height and shape of the fade and weight of the blend to suit any client,” explains Tom Chapman, founder of the Lions Barber Collective and ambassador to The Bluebeards Revenge. “If you have a more daring client in the chair you can take the shortest grad up pretty high and leave a heavy blend. You can also leave more weight at the sides behind the ear by creating an arch as your base shape instead of the usual straight shape.”

The Best Taper Fade Styles And How To Get Them

Before you buzz off to the barbers for one of the decade’s defining chops, take a look at some of the style’s most popular variations for a bit of follicular inspiration.

Taper Fade & Short Crop

They say less is more and, looking at the minimalist styling of this particular trim, we’re inclined to agree. It’s perfect for the kind of guy who wants something smart and low maintenance that won’t leave him wincing at old photographs 10 years down the line.

“This style has a very graduated skin-fade from the base up to a longer layer,” explains Mark Woolley, founder of Electric Hairdressing. “The top layer is slightly disconnected from the back and sides.”

Think this might be the cut for you? Woolley always recommends taking a photo along with you to avoid any awkward, post-trim mirror moments.

“You ultimately want to ask for a fading cut with a slightly disconnected top layer which gives you a nice, choppy texture,” he says.

Apply a salt spray or matte clay/paste roughly with your fingers to increase separation and help emphasise the natural, care-free texture created on top.

Taper Fade & Pompadour

If Johnny Cash had been born 60 years later, there’s no doubt that this would be the do he’d be rocking. A perfect blend of old and new, the pompadour is a nod to one of the defining styles of the last century, while the taper fade on the back and sides brings things right up to date.

So, how can you get the look? Again, you’ll want some inspiration.

“A picture is worth a hundred words,” says Mills. “This is doubly true when getting a cut. Take an image in so at least your barber knows what you are thinking. The terminology we use can be confusing and for me the consultation with the client is key.”

Mills adds that the trick to getting the cut right is to know how close you want to go at the back and sides. “Ideally the top should be at least four or five inches longer than at the back and sides,” he says.

“To style it you will need a decent hair dryer and a Denman vent brush,” advises Mills. “This isn’t a wash and go look.
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“I recommend a styling mousse on clean damp hair. Evenly distribute a tangerine-sized amount through the hair and then using your brush and dryer, style it back away from the face creating height and direction.” Finish with a strong-hold hair spray if you find your style loses its pomp after a couple of hours.

Taper Fade & Side-Swept Length

Generally speaking, the graduated back and sides of a taper fade is geared towards shorter haircuts. However, with some clever, asymmetrical styling, there’s no reason you can’t embrace your inner grunger at the same time.

“The key characteristics of this cut are the low fade on the back and sides with a disconnected top,” says Pearson.

“Ask for a low fade, something like a five into a four. Keep the top disconnected, cutting short to long to keep length at the fringe. As always I would recommend taking a photo with you.”

In terms of styling at home, Pearson suggests using a volume spray in damp hair and blow drying upwards. Once dry, he recommends finishing off with a matte clay to add texture.

Taper Fade & Short Braids

A few short braids or dreads thrown into the mix adds a nice touch of personality to a taper fade, while remaining clean and smart enough to dress up or down. Highly-experienced barber Joseph Lanzante, who runs his own barbering academy, is certainly a fan.

“A taper fade finished with short dreads on top has become a very popular haircut as it provides a clean and stylish finish to the overall style,” he says.

“To create a clean-cut taper fade, you will need to ask your barber for a grade one cut on the back, fading up to grade two and three. Make sure you keep your hair long on top long to ensure you can create the short dreads that are key to this style.”

Another plus point for this particular style is that management at home couldn’t be easier. Lanzante recommends nothing more complex than coconut oil. Rub the oil through the hair to keep it nourished and moisturised but be careful not to use too much or it could wind up looking oily.

This article first appeared on FashionBeans

Day in and day out barbers shoot the breeze with the wide variety of men who walk into their shops. As these men settle in the barber’s chair and get a trim, they share tidbits about their lives, their problems, and their observations on the world today. Since barbers spend so much time listening to and talking with other men, we figured they might have accumulated some pearls of wisdom on how men can live life well. So we asked 8 barbers from a wide range of ages, experience, and backgrounds to answer this question: “What’s your best advice on being a man?” The responses we got range from the philosophical to practical style advice. Soak it up, and go have an enjoyable conversation and a relaxing shave with your local barber. 
 
Click on the image below for a little advice from 8 friendly neighborhood barbers.