Monday 23 May 2011

5 things you didn't know about hair

When the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill occurred in the San Francisco Bay, a group of eco-friendly volunteers used mats of human hair to clean the beach. Hair absorbs oil from the water, working as a natural sponge. The innovator of this idea, Phil McCrory, said he saw footage of oil-soaked otters after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill and his harebrained plan was hatched. He collected human hair clippings from local salons, stuffed them into a pair of his wife’s pantyhose and voila: oil mop.

After the oil is collected, oyster mushrooms are added to the mat. They absorb the oil and convert the environmental threat into nontoxic compost. Environmentalists would like these hair mats carried on oil tankers, so in case of a disaster the mats can be thrown in to start working immediately.
volunteer holding up an oil soaked hair mat
Finding hair in your food can ruin a meal. But, what if your food was made of hair -- or at least your condiment? The Internet Journal of Toxicology reported that the Chinese company Hongshuai Soy Sauce marketed their product as “using the latest bioengineering technology.” Priced lower than the competitors’ soy sauces, Hongshuai became popular on the shelves of Chinese stores. However, an investigation by journalists found the company didn’t use amino acids derived from soy and wheat, but amino acids derived from human hair swept off the salon floor! UGG
Peter the Great was one of the greatest rulers from the 17th century, and he was a great friend to Russia. However, he was no friend to the beard. The emperor wanted Russia to become westernized, so he required all of his courtiers, state officials and the military to adopt western fashions and to shave their beards. This decree spread through the country until the only Russians exempted were peasants and priests. If a man refused to shave, he had to pay an annual beard tax of 100 rubles. Henry the VIII imposed a similar tax in England during part of his reign. However, as a fickle king who beheaded wives he no longer liked, he later grew a beard himself and ended the English beard tax.
There’s a conspiracy theory that redheads are alien-human hybrids: Why did several kings and queens of Europe have red hair even though, percentage-wise, redheads are fairly rare?
It sounds crazy, but carrot tops do have biological differences other than appearance. Redheaded women bleed longer, which is why doctors make special preparations for them in childbirth. They also have the smallest hair count on their heads, about 90,000 as opposed to 140,000 on people with blond and brown hair. That’s why Kick a Ginger Day began, just to keep these possible aliens on their toes.

During the Victorian era, women often wore jewelry made from the hair of deceased loved ones. Since there were no photos of dear old grandma, her gray hairs paid homage. While it started as just a way to remember, hair art blossomed and become popular fashion. This may have been the most morbid fashion since Amazonians wore shrunken heads around their necks. To this day, there are a number of websites selling antique hair art and they will even fashion a new piece from a dead shih tzu’s hair.!!! Tahnk god for the birth of digital cameras!
earring made from human hair


 

Saturday 21 May 2011

Blond it up for Summer

Beyonce released the clip for her latest single Run the World girls yesterday. While the song has had mixed reviews amongst critics, the video, and her new image received a lot of praise from the experts. I love the ultra blond hair and lightened eyebrows on Ms Knowles. The hair color complements her complexion, and the colored brows soften her look and make the hair appear more natural.
The video was produced by the same guy that made Lady Gaga's unforgettable clip for Bad Romance. The clip is a must see and Beyonce's African inspired choreography is spectacular.



Beyonce has been a trend setter since her appearance back in 1997 with the girl group Destiny's Child. She really started to stand out as the group leader in 2000 when she dyed her hair blond while on tour with D.C. Over the years she  managed to stay ahead the times and dyed her hair a rainbow of colors. Blond in my opinion definitely suits her best !


2001



2008


2010

2011


If you are planning on going blonder this summer there are a few options for you to choose from depending on the depth of your pocket, and the level of blond that you would like to achieve. Highlights need to be touched up every two and a half to three months, while tints need to be touched up every 3-4 weeks depending on the contrast with your roots.
Half a Head of Highlights- If you want to save a few buck ask the stylist to do you half a head of foil highlights, and to add a few around the hair line at the back, for when you tie your hair up. It gives the illusion that you have a full head of highlights. and works out a little cheaper.
Full Head of Foil Highlights- Using foil paper the stylist weaves or slices highlights throughout the whole head. What I love about foil highlights is that you can use 2 or 3 different tones of blond to help give an overall light and natural appearance. Because you are leaving some of your natural color it really helps to avoid the halo of regrowth experienced by people who do a full tint on their hair.
Tint&Highlights- For those of you who want to be as blond as Beyonce it can only be achieved by doing highlights and a tint. None of your natural tone will be left, and while its vibrant and beautiful, its high maintenance, so be prepared . Book for your free consultation!