You may love your long hair, but there's one problem with those lengthy tresses—they shed and get all over the place, turning clean-up into a challenge and making your shower drain a battle zone. You could just adopt the motto "long hair, don't care" but that won't stop your stray strands from haunting your home, so it might be better to take some precautions and avoid those hairy home situations altogether.
When you have long hair, there are three main places where that normal, everyday shedding can become a big, hairy mess—the shower, the floors, and your laundry. So, here's how to deal with each.

The Shower

Before You Shower:Comb out your hair. If you can, try brushing or combing out your hair before you hop in the shower. It'll catch more of the stray hairs in advance, so you won't shed as much in the shower while you wash your hair.

Use a drain catcher—a good one. This one should seem obvious, but it's worth repeating: Invest in a good drain catcher. It doesn't have to be a fancy, expensive contraption, but it should work. If it doesn't actually catch the hairs, it's not doing it's job—and if it doesn't let the water drain properly, you'll probably get annoyed with it and stop using it. Make sure it's one that stays in place, too. This one from OXO gets high marks on Amazon.

If the Drain Becomes Clogged......

don't reach for the Drano or another chemical solution (seriously, landlords hate it because it can cause damage to the pipes, and you can read some horror stories about it on Yelp). Instead, try removing any visible hair first—you might have to snip a little with scissors if it's tangled, but try to just pull out any hair you see with tweezers or pliers.

If, after you've gotten rid of visible hair, your shower is still not draining, let baking soda and vinegar come to the rescue. Pour the baking soda down the drain, then pour distilled white vinegar over the baking soda--this tutorial will show you the specifics. (Note: Many of the commenters also suggest flushing out the drain with boiling water--LifeHacker suggests the same, just be aware that boiling water doesn't work for all pipes, so if you don't know what you're working with, stick with regular ol' hot water). You can do the hot water flush as monthly maintenance to prevent it from getting clogged again.

You can also try plunging the drain, but know that this might cause some gross, gunky water to come back up into the tub, so be prepared. Avoid using drain snakes or things like wire hangers to pull out clogs, because you can potentially do more damage than good. And, if all else fails, call your landlord or building super—or a plumber, if you don't have a landlord to answer to.

The Floors

Use Your Vacuum... Everywhere.

Nothing will remind you that your hair gets everywhere, no matter how often you clean, more than when long hairs collect in a tumbleweed on the floor. It's time to befriend your vacuum full-time, because sweeping can only do so much—it's pushing around the hair without always picking it all up. You should still sweep first, since it'll get rid of some of the hair (and keep it from clogging up your vacuum!) but really, vacuuming everywhere will change your life. On Deadspin, cleaning expert Jolie Kerr suggested investing in not one but two vacuums—an upright and a handheld model for really tackling all that hair. Use the upright vacuum at least once a week for a deep clean, and use the handheld vacuum every one to three days to keep particularly hairy spaces in check.

Using your vacuum everywhere—and frequently—means that you'll have to take proper care of it, too. Kerr said using the hose attachment can help prevent it from getting clogged, but if it does get clogged, use nail scissors to carefully snip out the hairs.

Salvaging a Hairy Carpet:
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If you've vacuumed your hairy rugs or carpet to no avail, you'll have to put in a little extra elbow grease. SF Gate has a super helpful tutorial for de-hairing your rugs—you just need a spray bottle, water, fabric softener, and either a stiff-bristled brush or a flexible squeegee to get the job done. Simply fill the spray bottle with water and mix in a few drops of fabric softener, spritz the carpet to dampen it, and then brush it or or scrape it with the squeegee to lift and collect the hair. Once it's out, vacuum as usual to catch any extra strays.

The Laundry

Before the Wash Cycle:

​Anyone with long hair—or who lives with someone with long hair—knows that long locks and laundry don't always play nice together. Strands of hair somehow get woven into fabric, tangled around sleeves and balled up and stuck to all your favorite clothes. It's a bit of a challenge to prevent, but Reddit user KT_ATX shared some helpful tips in this thread: Use dryer balls, and make it a point to shake out items before you put them in the wash. Also, when you can, stick to smaller loads as opposed to totally filling the washing machine. And if you can stand it, wash your socks separately—since they tend to pick up hair and dust bunnies from the floor, you can prevent that from transferring over to the rest of your clothes. User billbixbyakahulk also commented that you should make sure your lint trap is cleaned out every time you use the dryer.

When Everything's Already Hairy...

There isn't really a quick fix for what to do when there's already hair stubbornly tangled up in all your sweaters—if that happens, you'll need a lint roller, some patience and maybe some tweezers, but you'll get through it. It's also a good idea to keep a lint roller by your door or your mirror for quick hair removal if you notice some shedding after you get dressed—it'll prevent it from getting stuck in the fibers later on.

This article first appeared on Apartment Therapy

The Truth About Your Cut, Style, and What Your Stylist Thinks About Your Hair

We all want great hair, and it starts with a haircut. You may bring in a photo, or describe what you want in your hairstyle to a "T", but are your expectations for a new look on par with what your hair can actually do? Does the celebrity style that you've been coveting match up with amount of time that you're willing to spend on your hair? Here are 11 things to consider, and points that your stylist likely won't say out loud, before you go in for your next haircut.

1.  Great Hair Takes Work. Sorry. 
On some level, if you want your hair to look good it's going to take some work. Unless you have perfect hair, with great body, beautiful thickness, and absolutely no issues whatsoever, you will need to do something with your hair to make it look like that photo you brought in. By the way, I'm pretty sure that the aforementioned perfect hair doesn't really exist.

2.  Surprise! Celebrities Have Hair Just Like You 
Celebrities are born just as human as you and me, with one exception when it comes to hair. Celebrities hire teams of stylists, use extensions, wigs, top of the line hair products and processes that cost a fortune. Unless you're willing to pay those kind of prices, it's probably not realistic to have celebrity perfect hair everyday.

3.  You Want Wash and Go Hair? Me too. 
The truth is, very few people on this planet have wash and go hair. Many people look like they do (like the girl you work with whose hair is perfect all day long), but they have to work at it. They experiment with the right shampoo, get regular haircuts, try out new styling techniques, and they probably use product in their hair. By the way, we all secretly hate the girl with the perfect all day hair. It's okay.

4.  You Need to Use Hair Products 
If you don't want to use product in your hair, don't expect your hair to look like you did. Have you ever noticed how many products your stylist uses during your haircut/blowout? If you're still using Panteen ProV and Aqua net, it's time to find out why professional products are superior and will actually help you achieve salon hair everyday. Bottom line: new professional products are awesome and could give you a brand new appreciation for your hair. 

5.  You're Using That Product Wrong 
Just because you're using product, doesn't mean you're using it right. If you're one of those girls that have been using the same product you used 10 years ago (it's okay, you don't have to admit it out loud), it is time for a change. Ask for advice on your hair products, and implement that advice at home. If your product isn't working out, ask to exchange your product for something that will work for you. 

6.  Change is Good. Embrace Change. 
If you ask for a new look, but style your hair the same way you always have, you will likely not be happy with your hair's result. In fact, it will probably look like it always did. A haircut is simply the foundation to a great look. Styling is key. Ask your stylist for advice on properly styling your new cut. 

7.  If at First You Don't Succeed, Try Try Again 
Practice makes perfect. Try new things with your hair and re-try them when you don't get it right the first time. Trust me, even hairstylist have a hard time blowing out their own hair, and it takes some skill to learn to curl your hair with a flat iron. Rome wasn't built in a day, neither is great hair.

8.  You're Asking for the Impossible 
Have real expectations with your hair. If you're only willing to put 5 minutes of styling into a hair style that should require 30 minutes, expect your hair to look that way. Ask your stylist to help you choose a look that matches the level of effort that you're willing to put in and that matches your hair's texture.

9.  Long Hair Takes More Work 
The more hair you have, the more time it will take to style. Which is a real drag if you were "blessed" with ridiculously thick hair, but it's just a truth that you have to accept.

10.  Your Hair is Different Now, Deal With It 
A salon chair is not a time machine. Hair changes over time as we age, just like our skin and our rear ends. It sucks, but we can only realistically work with the present condition of your hair. As much as you'd love to have your hair look the way it did 15 or 20 years ago, you will be much happier if you work with what you have, at the present moment, instead of focusing on what you once had.

11.  Your Hairstylist Ain't Happy Unless You're Happy 
Your hairstylist sincerely wants you to look good and feel good about your hair. You represent her talent, experience, skill, and her good name. We honestly stress about your hair, and we want you to feel good about it. We want you to love it, to tell your friends about it, and to come back in six weeks with enthusiasm about it. If you don't love it, talk to your stylist about it. And if you do love it, tell her about that, too.

​This article first appeared on About Style

Now, some men are thorough when it come to how they look; and while many have given advice to dress up for the job, what they didn’t add is to apply the same principle with hairstyles.

Working professionals such as yourself shouldn’t stick with the notion of just suiting up to impress, you also have to get yourself cleaned up to keep up a respectable image.

And that goes for what hairstyle you are currently going for.

There are some guys who can easily pull-off a ragged look and just as easily turn it into a sleek, classy style the next, they have no qualms when it comes to rocking an office haircut which is a talent in itself.

So for those, who are still a little bit lost on how to present themselves with utmost confidence, here are some tips for you on how you can pull off a cool haircut at work!

Know Your Hair & Face and Familiarize

Ask yourself first, if the current hair trend you want is applicable to the type of hair you are sporting. You definitely need to determine what type of hair style goes well for you. We’re talking about the texture of your hair, the shape of your face, and your facial features.

A lot of guys make a mistake on just winging their haircuts just because they find the hairstyle cool but when they attempt to copy the look it just doesn’t work for them.

Whoever said taking a big leap without thinking is a good way to go, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Don’t fall into the trap. Familiarize yourself with the overall structure of your head: hair and face.

The Right Hairstyles

Don’t be discouraged that just because you have curly hair doesn’t mean you can’t have that clean-swept and sleek hairdo.

You’d be surprised there are ways to accomplish a certain hairstyle without jeopardizing your current look.

All you need to do is look for some comparison. You already have a good resource for this – the Internet.

Go through some styles which you think are right for you and will make you look dapper and respectable.

Consider Your Work Environment

While a youthful and extraordinary hairstyle certainly have its merits, it is also important to be mindful of your surroundings, your work environment in particular.

So if you are considering a striking change of style, just be sure that it would be appropriate for your current job and how will your co-workers, bosses, and clients perceive your chosen look.

Ask the Experts

If your indecisions are still holding you back from achieving that perfect work style, it’s time to ask the experts.

Take the time to understand on what they have to say because they can help you identify what type of look would best suit you.

It also helps if you brought some of the photos of hairstyle you’re eyeing on so that they have an idea what you also want, that way it’s more of a collaborative work.

Stick with the Classics

Despite the fact that there are plenty of hairstyle trends suitable for a modernize look, we can’t deny that the classics still resonates with us the most.

Take inspiration from all the classics. You have a number to choose from! Not to mention that the vintage are making a comeback this year but with a modernized spin to it. This will surely give you a sense of professionalism with an addition of the ‘classic’ appeal.

You want a fail-safe look? Then your top answer would be to go for a classic cut!]

This article first appeared on The Manliness Kit

(The Science Experiment)
by Beth Skwarecki

When my hair gets frizzy, a good silicone serum is like magic. You just rub a drop on your hands, pat your hair all over, and your hair looks like a million bucks. But then you have to wash your hands afterward, which sometimes feels impossible. Silicone just does not wash out like other hair products.

So the anti-frizz serum sits on a shelf in my bathroom, mostly unused. A few days ago, my four-year-old found it.

“What’s that in your hair?” I asked. The front of his head was all wet, shiny curls. “I washed it!” he said. With what? “Hair soap!”

Our hand soap is in a green container with a pump top. The anti-frizz serum is also in a green container with a pump top. Four year olds have a vague idea that hand soap is not for hair, but they also cannot read words like “serum” or “shampoo.”

I asked my Facebook friends what gets silicone out of hair. Surely someone would know. Apple cider vinegar was the first answer, and the second, and made several more appearances as the day went on. I had my doubts, since silicone is not water soluble. Clarifying shampoo was another popular recommendation, but is there really a difference between clarifying shampoo and regular shampoo?

Crowdsourcing would not solve my problem. I needed to use science

Click here for the experiment >>