BEAUTY, QUICKIES

To Make Your Hair Go “Pouf”

To Make Your Hair Go “Pouf”

If you thought that it was the end of big hair, you were wrong. Big hair is back with a vengeance, and now lots of women are trying it out for themselves. Here’s what to do to make your hair go “pouf.”

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Blow Dry It Upside Down

Some women advise not to wash your hair if you want it to go “pouf.†But if you can’t stand going without washing, or if you have naturally oily hair, shampooing might be your only option. If so, then there are still ways to make your hair go big. First off, make sure that when you dry your hair, you blow dry it upside down. This will help give volume to the hair by separating out all the individual strands and helping the hair near the hair follicles stand upright, directly out of the scalp. Find the best hair dryer for thick hair and make sure you flip your hair over so that you can get at the under side too. This will give your hair volume right from the start.

Grab Your Flat Iron

It might sound counterintuitive, but if you’re going for that “pouf†look, all the hair on your head needs to be as straight as possible. For those with naturally frizzy hair, this stage is obvious. But even if your hair is usually straight, flat irons are still a must. If you’ve got curly hair, this stage could be a little difficult, but you’ve probably straightened it before, so do your best. Make sure to check out products that can help make the straightening process easier so that you don’t end up tangled in your own irons.

Use Products That Volumize

If you’ve ever watched Dusty Springfield or Barbara Windsor and wondered how they get their hair so big, the answer is volumizing products, usually lots of them. In the past, many stars and celebs used mousses and gels. But these are uncomfortable, and today, they aren’t nearly as popular. An alternative is to use volumizing shampoo and conditioner. Often these contain powerful volumizing compounds, helping you avoid going through an extra stage after you’ve blow-dried your hair. You can also use volumizing sprays or spritz if you feel that your hair is falling a little flat. When it comes to volume, every little bit helps.

Tease Your Hair

No, we’re not suggesting you make fun of your hair, even though by the time you get to this stage it might be worthy of it. Instead, tease your hair, by gently backcombing a section of it, spraying it, and then repeating the process. If done right, your hair shouldn’t end up looking like a bird’s nest. According to some, not washing, your hair makes it easier to tease. It gives hair the kind of texture it needs for teasing to work really well. Teasing, however, can still be effective with straightened hair.

Work With The Right Tools

Finally, to make big hair, you need the right tools. It’s a good idea to have a blow dryer with a diffuser, as well as hair products that will protect your hair as it is straightened.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

SEX & LIFE

5 Tips For Choosing A Mattress

By Guest Blogger Frank A.

 

5 Tips For Choosing A Mattress

Getting a restful night’s sleep starts with a good mattress. If you’re sleeping on a lumpy, hard mattress, it’s going to be nearly impossible for you to feel rested in the morning. You may wake up sore, stiff, and plain ol’ grumpy, I know I would.  If you’re overheating while sleeping, feeling your partner move around, thus disrupting your slumber, or if you’re sinking in on an uncomfortable level, you need a new bed.  Although a mattress is a start for getting better sleep, you first need to familiarize yourself with what makes a good mattress, good.

The Right Firmness

The firmness level of a mattress is how hard or soft it is. Most of the population prefer medium-firm firmness, which is ideal for both comfort and pain relief. If you’re on a mattress that’s too firm, it may cause some body aches and pains. Depending on the type of person you are, and by that I mean the type of sleeper.

 

Firm mattresses are ideal for stomach and back sleepers. It gives you the proper support needed for keeping your spine aligned throughout the night. It’s also the best way to keep your body in a natural alignment while sleeping on your stomach. If your mattress is too soft, stomach sleeping can twist your spine, causing pain. Firm mattresses are an acquired taste, however, so make sure you can handle it before you decide.

 Unmade Bed

Medium-firm mattresses are best for comfort and support. As long as there is a high density base support foam on the bottom, you’ll be fine. The medium mattresses are ideal for all types of sleepers, moreso those who enjoy side sleeping. It’ll give you the proper balance of comfort and support for your spine, hips, back, shoulders, and neck.

 

Soft mattresses are tricky. You have to find one that’s soft, but also supportive, so they need a good support base. If it doesn’t have that thick support base, you’re going to sink and it’s going to cause you even more pain.

Pick The Right Material

The materials a mattress is made from is important when it comes to your comfort and also, your budget. Innerspring mattresses are the more traditional choice, but they aren’t meant to last forever. They are more affordable than other kinds, but after a while, they begin to deteriorate and you may begin to feel the springs. On the bright side, they do offer an optimal amount of support because of those springs.

 

Memory foam and gel foam mattresses are ideal for contouring and support. Depending on the firmness level, they can be very relieving for pain and pressure point relief. The gel mattresses come with cooling properties that help keep your body temperature regulated throughout the night. So, if you’re someone who tends to overheat at night or you suffer from a condition that makes you sweat, such as multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia, it can help relieve that.

 

Hybrid mattresses are usually some kind of combination between memory foam and innerspring. It gives you the comfort of memory foam while conforming to each part of your body like an innerspring does. These are usually much more expensive than memory foam alone.

Check For Trials

Since there are so many mattresses on the market today, a lot of these companies are offering trials. These trials give you a period of time to test the bed to ensure that it’s right for you. Some offer a few nights all the way up to 120 nights or even more. At any time during the trial period you decide it isn’t right for you, you’ll get your money back and they’ll come get the mattress. This is the perfect way to test a mattress out before you make the commitment, especially if it’s a little out of your budget.

 

Even if the mattress company doesn’t offer a trial, you should look for some kind of comfort guarantee. These are usually a little less in time, usually 30 days, but it still guarantees your money back if you decide it isn’t right for you. Trials and guarantees are the easy way to test out your mattress for more than 15 minutes on a showroom floor with tons of people watching you.

Watch Out For False Advertising

Since mattresses can be manufactured with so many different kinds of materials, it can be hard to tell what’s really in them. If a mattress company claims that their beds are 100% organic, don’t trust it unless it’s made from 100% latex. These are the only mattresses guaranteed to be all natural. Sure, they have the Certipur-US label, but that only means that they are made with safe materials that aren’t going to harm you. This does not mean that they are organic and it’s a very common misconception.

 

You should also be aware of gimmicks that involve labels that state the mattress is medically-approved or orthopedic certified. No mattress is medically certified by any organization. Mattresses may have orthopedic-friendly or pain relieving features, but they aren’t supposed to be labeled as medical or orthopedic.

Check The Warranty

Any good mattress worth the amount of money you spent on it will have a decently long warranty. A 10-year, full replacement or non-prorated warranty is what you want to look for. If a mattress company only offers a 5 year limited warranty, it probably means that their mattress isn’t going to last as long as others would. The prorated warranties are difficult to manage because after a certain time frame, the coverage declines. So after a few years, you may not even be able to take advantage of that warranty at all even though you’re still “covered†under it.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect mattress may seem like a longshot, since nothing is ever “perfectâ€, but finding something that’s going to suit you needs is just as good. Make sure you follow the tips above, read up on some reviews, and you’ll be waking up refreshed and maybe even with reduced pain. We all need a good start to our day, and falling asleep & waking up on a comfortable mattress is a good way to do it.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

FOR THE GUYS, ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Dreams Of Building Your Own Home? Ask Yourself These Crucial Questions First

Dreams Of Building Your Own Home? Ask Yourself These Crucial Questions First

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Building your own home is the ultimate domestic fantasy for many Americans. Having an idea of a charming colonial style or flipping through plans of McArthur Homes, can be the ultimate experience of power when it comes to being able to design it from the bottom up, so it fits your style, your ethos, and your specifications is an extremely attractive prospect. But, as you might imagine, it doesn’t come without its own difficulties. From the costs of materials and labor, to time and emotional effort, there’s a lot to consider before you take the plunge. If you share the dream of building your own home, make sure you ask yourselves these questions before you dive in head first.

Can we afford it?

At first glance, building a home from scratch appears cheaper than a ready-made home. Unfortunately, this figure doesn’t often take into account reality. When delays in the build happen then labor costs increase as a result, and it’s often the case that once the builders get on the site, people realize there is more to be done to prepare the land than previously anticipated. While there are ways to keep the costs down, make sure you can afford the initial quote or have your loan secured, with a fair amount extra for wiggle room too.

Are we patient enough?

The process can be long, drawn-out, and stressful. If you want a new home as a quick fix, this probably isn’t the right way to go about it. Even beautiful modular homes built off-site can take a few months before they’re erected and completed. You’ve got to be a patient person with the ability to deal with stress to be able to enjoy the process.

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What do you want from it?

What are your needs, goals, and desires from the house? Does every invested party, including the kids, agree on the end product? Write a list of everything you want from your home, all the way down to the types of door fittings, and spend some time categorizing as “want†and “needâ€. Don’t allow yourself to compromise on something you need, because you could end up regretting it years down the line.

Can we withstand the pressure?

A project of this magnitude can put immense amounts of pressure on couples and families, so it’s important that you ensure you’re all in the right frame of mind, and that your lifestyle is stable enough before you take on the commitment. The last thing anyone wants is for the stress of the endeavor to put undue pressure on your marriage.

Who will do it?

Do you have a builder in mind to undertake the project? Will you opt for prefabricated, modular homes which are built off-site, or would you prefer a full construction team on-site every day? Remember to factor this into your costs. Choosing the right builder could make or break this construction, so don’t take the decision lightly.

Designing and building your own home to your personal specifications can be hugely rewarding when it’s done right. There is no room for error, though, so make sure you’ve got everything in line before taking the plunge.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

FOR THE GUYS, ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Get That Tech! Three Ways To Modernise Your Home

Get That Tech! Three Ways To Modernise Your Home

Update Your Technology

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If it’s been a while since you last updated your technology, now might just be the time to do it – after all, it’s still the start of a brand new year, so why not try out a brand new you? If you still have some of your Christmas bonus left over, then you’re probably thinking about what exactly you could do with it. Now could be the right time to upgrade your laptop to the latest model. If you’re not entirely sure which one would be the best for you, write down exactly what you need from your laptop. The requirements of a serious gamer would be very different from someone who just likes to send some emails and browse the internet from time to time! Talk to a shop assistant about what exactly you need. You could also add some speakers to your front room, especially if you really enjoy watching TV in the evenings, as surround sound will really improve the experience.

Go For A Smart Home

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If you’re really into technology and thinking about new innovations, then chances are you’re already looking into smart living and the possibility of home automation. This works by connecting the appliances in your house to the internet so you can access them and control them no matter where you are – for instance, you could turn all your lights on or off without being at home. It could help you save money, improve your home security, improve your home entertainment system, and help improve your health by decreasing your stress and improving your sleep. If you’re really looking for a home that belongs in the future, home automation really is it. You can even use voice commands to tell your kettle to boil its water so you can make a cup of tea! Look online to learn more about home automation.

Use Different Energy

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If you’ve been lagging behind the rest of the world in the environmental revolution, now is your chance to change the way you think so you can reduce both your greenhouse emissions and your energy bills. If you’re in a part of the world where the sun shines, why not go for solar energy? Not only is this fully sustainable but it just involves the one time cost of installing the panels on your home, meaning that in the future your energy bills will be far lower. The same would be true if you replace your traditional light bulbs with LED lights. They last for longer and use far less energy. If you’ve noticed that your energy bills are way up over the winter, there are also a few practical solutions. Firstly, check your windows and doors for draughts, and use draught excluders to keep the cold air out. Secondly, add more insulation to your attic. You can buy lagging at any good hardware store. Heat escapes through your roof just like it escapes through your head – you need to put a hat on your house by adding more insulation to the roof to keep it nice and warm.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME, SEX & LIFE

Tell-Tale Signs Your Elderly Parents Need Help

Tell-Tale Signs Your Elderly Parents Need Help

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Aging comes to us all, no matter how strong and healthy we may be. We will all have to deal with at some point, but before old age affects our own health, the first hurdle we will have to face is coping with elderly parents. As our parents get older, we will need to take a lot more care and attention of them as they become frail and weak. However, not many elderly parents want help from their children, no matter how much they need it. So how do you know when it is time to step in and make sure your elderly parents get all the help they need? Here are the tell-tale signs.

Home And Garden Maintenance Increases

Next time you go around to your parent’s home to visit them, take a look at the property and see how it looks. If there is quite a bit of maintenance that needs doing and repairs that need to be made, this could be a sign that your parents are struggling to cope with some household jobs and tasks. You could suggest to your parents that you start going around once a week to help them maintain their home. If you don’t have enough time, what with work and your own family, you might prefer to hire a gardener or handyman who can take care to bring their home and garden up to scratch.

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Out Of Date Groceries

It is also worth taking a look in your parents’ kitchen and looking at the expiry date on all their fresh groceries. Are there quite a few that are out of date or have spoiled? If so, this could also be a sign that your parents are struggling to cope at home. They may have kept hold of expired groceries rather than go to the supermarket to buy fresh ones. This could be because they are getting quite frail, and can’t cope with a weekly shop at their local supermarket. It could also be a sign of a developing illness, such as Alzheimer’s, and their forgetfulness could be a symptom.

Poor Personal Hygiene

Do you notice a distinct funky smell when you visit your parents now? It may not be a nice thought, but maybe it’s your parents? As we get older, we often forget things and try to get by without doing too much. As a result, many elderly people forget to wash every day or feel that they don’t need to. You should ask your parents and make sure that they still keep up with their personal hygiene. There are some other signs to look out for that are giveaways of poor personal hygiene. For instance, very long nails, unkempt hair, and poor oral hygiene.

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Not Eating Regularly

One sign which lots of people notice in their parents is that they lose any interest in preparing meals and eating. They may also not be eating at regular intervals. This can be a difficult sign to notice at first, especially if you don’t visit them at meal times. One way to spot this change in their behavior, though, is to keep an eye on their weight. If you notice that they start to lose weight quite quickly, then they probably aren’t eating right. Offer to cook for them a few night’s a week or invite them over to yours for dinner to ensure that they get one good meal in them.

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Their Mobility Declines

Are your parents struggling to get around their house? They might find that getting up and down the stairs is now a struggle. If so, and they don’t want to relocate to a bungalow, you could always suggest that they think about the possibility of home lifts or chairlifts. These will help them get upstairs and downstairs with ease, allowing them to go about their usual activities. If your parents find it also hard to walk and balance on level ground, it may be time to get them a walking stick or zimmer frame. In some extreme cases, a wheelchair may be necessary.

Their Driving Is Becoming Very Dangerous

As we get older, we start to lose our sight and our hand-eye coordination becomes quite poor. This has a direct effect on our driving. If your parents start to get into more bother when they are out driving – maybe they end up committing more driving violations and end up causing a couple of accidents – then it could be time to make them stop driving. However, they may not be too happy with this idea as it can greatly limit their independence! But you need to tell them that it is for their own safety. Lots of towns and villages are now well connected with public transport routes, and many elderly people will be able to get discounts on their travel tickets. Explain this to them, and they should start to come round to the idea. You should also offer to give them a lift whenever you are free to do so.

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They Now Lose Track Of Medication

Most elderly people are on various types of medication. Each different type will require your parents to take a certain dose at varying intervals. This can be quite difficult for old people to keep on top of. If you notice that your parents are starting to lose track of their medication, they might need some help every day to take their tablets. If they can’t keep on top of their medicine, and there is no one to help them with it every day, then they might end up having to be hospitalized. One way to help them keep on track is to create a daily schedule for them. Write out exactly what they need to take on each day of the week, and how often.

Watching our parents age can be very distressing and upsetting indeed. However, if you are able to spot the tell-tale signs that they are struggling with their age, you will be able to help them take better care of themselves.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Everyday Tips from Tia