Lifestyle Choices

Brush Up

Your hairbrush is the most basic styling tool you’ve got. If you were stranded on a desert island with only one hair-care implement, this would be it! You use your brush to shape, fluff, smooth, sweep, stroke, gather, and style your hair in dozens of ways. It’s also vital as a grooming tool, to remove the dirt and dust that hair collects and to distribute its natural oils. Look for brushes with natural bristles, which are the best—and the most expensive—money can buy. Actually coarse hair culled from wild boars, natural bristles go through the hair without irritating the scalp, and because of their uneven, ragged surface they are better able to pick up dirt, oil, and lint than are their smoother synthetic counterparts. Brushes are available that contain both natural and synthetic bristles; they may be the best and the most economical choice for you.

Your hair type will determine the kind of bristles that are best for you:

Thin hair requires soft to medium bristles; thick or stiff bristles are not right for you. Moreover, your scalp is more exposed than that of your thicker-haired sisters, and thick bristles could be damaging.

Medium hair requires medium to thick bristles.

Thick hair requires the stiffest bristles. If your hair is so thick that even the stiffest bristles won’t go through it, or you can’t afford a natural-bristle brush, opt for one of the mixtures described above. They’re less expensive and made to go through the thickest cloud of curls or mane of waves.

For all types of brushes, the bristles within each tuft should be of different lengths, so that they can penetrate the hair most effectively.

Consider, too, the shape of your brush. If you brush your hair with short strokes and a flick of the wrist, try a half-round brush. If you use long, straight strokes, a flat, oval brush should serve you well; choose a wide one for long hair, and a narrower one for shorter styles. Round brushes are great for creating curls; the smaller the diameter, the tighter the resulting curl. Flared and half-round brushes can be used to sweep hair dramatically back, or to coax the ends to curl under softly. Finally, the handle should be comfortable to hold.

Brush Care and Maintenance

Remove the tangled hair with fingers or comb. If the brush has a wooden handle or a rubber cushion, immerse only the bristles in lukewarm, sudsy water. You can use a mild shampoo, and add a tablespoon or two of baking soda, which is great for drawing grease and oils to the surface. Swirl until the bristles are clean. Rinse in lukewarm water and dry the handle. Dry brushes bristles down on a towel, away from heat and sunlight.

Combs

Look for heavy-gauge plastic, or if you want to splurge, treat yourself to a real tortoiseshell comb. Very Victorian and romantic! Make sure that the width of the teeth is suitable for your hair’s texture and type: long, thick or curly hair requires a wide-toothed comb. Fine hair needs more densely packed, smaller teeth, as does short or thin hair.

Your comb, like your brush, can pick up a lot of excess dirt, grease, and oil, so be sure to clean it regularly. Soak briefly in warm, sudsy water (shampoo or even a little bubble bath is okay for this purpose) and rinse clean. Towel dry, and it’s done. Make a habit of doing this at least once a week; more often if hair has a tendency toward oiliness.

Blowdryers

Look for a blowdryer that is suitable both for your life-style and for your hair. If your hair is very long, or very thick and hard to manage, you may want one that is larger and has a higher voltage capacity, thus permitting higher heat and shorter drying time. Keep in mind, though, that extremely high temperatures are harsh and potentially damaging to hair. Alternate with a cooler setting, and regularly use conditioner especially formulated for use with a blowdryer. If your hair is short or you’re on the go a lot of the time, invest in a smaller, lighter model. Many compact hand-held dryers made these days seem to weigh practically nothing and are great for popping into your suitcase or your gym bag.

Also, if your budget permits, think of investing in a curling iron (these are now heated with steam, so that hair doesn’t get dried out) for quickie, high-style curls in a flash; or even a set of electric rollers.

With the advent of all these marvelous styling tools, you never again have to spend a miserable night on rollers for the sake of beauty.

The Extras

Look for unusual headbands, barrettes or combs, or ponytail holders adorned with brightly colored fruits and flowers to enhance your hair. Make sure, though, that all of these items (including bobby pins or hair pins) are made of plastic-covered or cloth-coated materials; bare metals can scratch and scrape and are subject to rusting from exposure to moisture. Never, never use ordinary rubber bands to secure your hair; they cause instant split ends and damage. Instead, purchase inexpensive cloth-covered elastics for use in hair.

You can also be easily and cheaply inventive when it comes to hair accessorizing. Consider as many of the following as please you to wind over, around, and through your tresses:

Velvet and satin ribbons.Scour novelty shops and sewing departments for interesting ribbons in a variety of colors, materials, textures, and widths. What about choosing a thick black velvet ribbon to use in blonde hair? Or shimmery bright red satin strands on a brunette? Look for ribbons rich with delicate embroidery, and don’t ignore strips of lace—if they’re wide enough, they can add a romantic finish to summer linens and cottons.

Scarves, handkerchiefs. A silk scarf is always a classy accessory for your hair, either to accent hair that’s been gathered back, or knotted, a la Grace Kelly, under your chin if it’s large enough. You can also do well with less expensive versions. Think about gaily colored cotton bandanas—now made in a multitude of rainbow- bright hues that can be bought for a song in your local five and dime. Don’t overlook men’s cotton hankies either—large enough to really make a fashion impact, you can find dozens of subtle checks, plaids, stripes, and solids. Learn to make your scarves do double duty too—for more tips on scarf accessorizing.

Flowers. Look for individual silk flowers (sometimes sold in florists’ shops, or else in novelty stores) to enhance that special look you’re striving to create: buy tiny violets to encircle a chignon; pale white rosebuds to tuck behind an ear. For that truly special occasion—your sweet-sixteen or graduation party, your sister’s wedding—buy real flowers to adorn yourself. Think of fragrant and exotic freesia, baby orchids, rosebuds, baby’s breath. Even a wreath of gold and white daisies can turn a white or blue cotton sundress into something romantic and gay.

Beads.A good look for both black girls and white: dozens of tiny braids, a la Bo Derek, further adorned by brightly colored or silver and gold glass beads. This takes a lot of time (and skill) to execute properly, so you may need professional assistance. However, if you decide to have it done right, the results can be stunning!

Leather.For a great natural and earthy look, use thin leather strips or thongs to braid through hair, or knot tightly around a ponytail.

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