Search Results: NaturallyCurly

The Secret to Smooth & Shiny Hair
The Secret to Smooth & Shiny Hair
By NaturallyCurly ·

woman with 3c curly hairAs curly girls, many of us have been tormented by advertising with models who have impossibly shiny, smooth hair cascading down their backs. Questions may have crossed your mind “why doesn’t my hair look like that?”  and “what can I do to my hair to make it shine that way?”

But rather than despair over these open-ended questions (and quite likely, the work of Photoshop”>, we prefer to look at the facts. Here is what really makes your hair shine.

What makes your hair smooth and shiny?

Human hair consists largely of keratin protein, linked in long chains running the length of the hair shaft. These chains are cross-linked, like the rails of a ladder bound by the rungs. This cortex of your hair determines its strength, elasticity and texture.

The cortex is surrounded by keratin protein “plates” forming the cuticle of the hair shaft, which protects the cortex and is responsible for hair’s smoothness and shine and can affect the appearance of your hair color. These plates overlap in one direction, from the root to the tip of your hair shaft.

Feel for yourself

If you extend one hair from your scalp pinch it with two fingertips in the center and slide towards the root, it will feel rough. If you slide towards the tip of the hair shaft, in the direction of the plates, it will feel smooth. Cleansing, styling, heat and chemical processes can damage the cuticle layer, which may then lead to cortex damage and hair breakage.

The secret to shinier hair is to make sure the cuticle layer stays smooth and in tact.

Want shinier hair?

You can protect hair by making sure the cuticle layer stays smooth and in tact. Reduce the effect of cuticle damage, by using oils, silicones (if you use silicones”> or other lubricants which reduce pulling friction when styling. These also temporarily smooth a roughened cuticle, which makes it reflect light and transmit color better.

Moisturizers or humectants attract and retain water molecules. Using a moisturizer like the ApHogee Balancing Moisturizer is important because to be at its most elastic and strongest, hair should contain 5-6% water by weight. Hair with less loses elasticity and suppleness, and will react when exposed to outside humidity.

Trying to figure out when to use an oil, a moisturizer or a protein? Simply put:

  • Oils lubricate and shine
  • Moisturizers elasticize
  • Protein repairs structural damage

Many “one step” products combine all three of these classes of compounds in one convenient formula, at varied ratios, to achieve different results.

For the most serious breakage problems, the longest lasting treatment is a “two-step” process, where the protein alone is applied to the hair first, for maximum bonding. Then the softness and shine from the moisturizers and oils are added in a second step. Try the ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment if you’re looking for an at-home protein treatment. It’s a little more work, but this type of treatment may last up to six weeks, as opposed to only a few shampooings. For a quick, easy option try the ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor.

[prodmod]

Written by Walt Winslow, General Manager KAB Brands & R&D Chemist. This article is sponsored by Aphogee.

How to Deal with Your Swimming Pool Hair Damage
By NaturallyCurly ·

diving peopleOur Q&A Section allows our dedicated curly community members to post, ask, and answer questions all things hair related. Be sure to stop by to engage with others like you and earn points while doing so! One member recently asked this:

Question

“I am trying to get my type 3 curls back to normal in time for my interview in a few days. I went diving yesterday, HELP!”

Answer

If you are a diver or spend a lot of time in the sea or pool water, you want to practice a 3 part care method: before, during and after your fun.

Before
During
  • Braid your hair with your leave-in saturating the hair. If your hair is shorter and cannot be braided, use a fabric tie to keep hair out of your face and in one neat place under your hood or behind your mask. You may also opt for a fabric diving cap as well–do not forget, the sun can cause damage for curly and wavy hair, as well.
After
  • Rinse your hair with fresh water (keep an extra water bottle in your cooler”>.
  • Use a gentle clarifying shampoo like Moptop’s Gentle Clarifying Shampoo once you are ready to shower.
  • Condition and style as usual and allow your hair to air dry. For hold and definition try a styler like the Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk. 
  • Use a deep conditioning treatment like Ouidad’s Hair Treatment, or use the DIY hair mask below for about 30 minutes, a few days in a row. You should start noticing a major difference in your hair health within 8-10 days.

Almond Milk and Coconut Oil Hair Restoration Mask

  • 3 tablespoons almond milk
  • 1 egg white
  • 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil

Mix all the ingredients well in a bowl and gently apply it on your hair with brush. If applied overnight, it is the best remedy for those with dry hair. Wash off with cold water and mild shampoo. Use it 2-3 times a week and if your hair is badly damaged a daily use for 8 to 10 days improves your hair condition. You can continue using it twice a week until you get the required results.

[prodmod]

Have a wavy, curly, or coily Q?

We want you to have your healthiest, happiest hair possible! If you have any questions, feel free to visit our Q&A Section for helpful advice from curlies like you!

10 Cleansing & Clarifying Shampoos with One Thing in Common…
By NaturallyCurly ·

Sage essential oil delivers when it comes to cleansing and purifying the hair and skin follicles. For hair, one of its most cherished traits is its ability to slow down and lessen the chance of hair loss. Here are 10 cleansing and clarifying shampoos infused with sage, which deliver many benefits to the scalp.

10 Sage Products

14 Ways to Unlock Your Second Day Hair
By NaturallyCurly ·

If you have a busy work week ahead or a painful 8am class (we’ve been there”> then it can be hard to carve out time in the morning for styling your curls. For these mornings we recommend using a curl refresher product because it can be the easiest way to lock in some hydration and definition for the busy day ahead. They can be applied to dry hair so this is the key to that elusive second day hair.

Here we highlight 14 of the top curl refreshers, accompanied with curly community reviews from our Product Database. Did yours make the cut?

14 Curl Refreshers For Busy Days

How to Spike Your Child’s Hair
By NaturallyCurly ·

Avoid a disastrous first day of school by mastering a couple of easy, 2-minute hair styles. Your son may want to rock a faux hawk, or your daughter may be after a cool new twist on her pixie cut for a touch of grade-school glam.

What You’ll Need

  • Organic gel (see suggestions below”>

  • Fine-tooth comb

  • Medium-hold finishing spray

Directions

  1. Apply a few drops of gel along the fine-tooth comb
  2. Move the comb from hairline/scalp to the crown of the head, gently moving upward.
  3. Hold the style with finishing spray so it can last throughout the school day.
[prodmod]

Product suggestions

Use something that’s light and kid-friendly. Here are some of our suggestions:

Your Curly Girl Guide to Glamping
By NaturallyCurly ·

Summer vacation is coming to an end. School’s about to start, and you want to enjoy your last free weekend becoming one with nature, a bonfire, and your closest friends. But what does this mean for your normal beauty routine?

The following 10 products won’t waste extra space, energy, or time…and can be packed into a pretty glamping bag and not worry about sacrificing your health or beauty.

10 Hottest Brown Hair Colors for Fall
By NaturallyCurly ·

Thinking of changing up your color this season? Well neutrals are in–brown, to be exact. In fact, subtle changes and high/low lights can be just enough to add a pop of color without looking like a snow cone. Here are 10 current trends for altering your natural hair color beautifully.

Shades of Brown Hair Color

Yikes! 4 Steps to Fix Your Brassy Hair
By NaturallyCurly ·

brassy blondeTried something new in the world of hair color? Didn’t turn out the way you had hoped? Not to fear, brassy hair color can be fixed. Yes, you may need your stylist’s help with this one, but there are ways around it at home, too.

1. Tone, Tone, Tone

On boxes, brands also call them demi-permanent or glaze. it will counteract that unwanted color. Toner takes the “tone” down of your current shade. However, remember, if the base color of your hair is also brassy, this may not work and a toner is only a temporary fix.

2. Add Low Lights

One process may help darken some of the pieces that were too brassy. Unless you have some experience, it may be best to ask your stylist for some help with low lights, or toner.

3. Purple Products

Violet and purple-toned shampoos like Redken Blonde Idol, Pantene Expressions Color Enhancing Conditioner and Clairol Shimmer Lights help balance out the orange-yellow colors in brassy wavy and curly hair.

4. Tricks of the Trade

Gradually change the hue. Don’t lighten too much, too soon. And stay within 2 shades of your natural color.

Add cooler tones for highlighting. Dark hair turns orange-y whenever it’s highlighted at home, since dark hair usually has red/orange undertones anyway.

Try a color refreshing gloss. This will make your time in between salon touch-ups last longer. John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss can be found in most drugstores.

My Roots Are Curly and Coily but Rest of My Hair Is Wavy
By NaturallyCurly ·

Lisa Price is well known in the curly community for the organic hair products she cooked up in her kitchen back in the 80’s, and the great success she has had with her brand Carol’s Daughter. We are very lucky to have her sharing her expertise on Curly Q&A this month, and below is a question we received from NaturallyCurly member Geedreamz. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to talk to Lisa by posting your questions on Curly Q&A!

Question:

My roots are curly and coily but the rest of my hair is wavy.

I’ve been trying to go natural. It’s only been a couple of months since I had a texturizer. My roots are curled and they spring back but the rest of my hair is wavy when no heat is applied. Please let me know what I can do. Thanks a bunch! – Geedreamz

Answer:

Hello Geedreamz,

The right size to match your curl pattern is the biggest thing you’ll need help with
Lisa Price

You’re definitely going to find this is your biggest struggle as you start to let your natural curl pattern grow in and your texturized hair grow out.  But, all you need is a good twist-out.  And luckily, there are now so many options to choose from!

If you’re looking to create an even curl allover that’s similar to your natural curl pattern, a two-strand twist-out is a great place to start.  If you’re new to this style, I recommend not trying it yourself the first time around.  Work with a stylist that you trust to help teach you the best way to do a two-strand twist – the right size to match your curl pattern is the biggest thing you’ll need help with.

Then, you can always try other ways of setting your hair curly – rods, straw-sets, Bantu knots…but that’s a whole different bunch of advice. Enjoy exploring your new curly texture!

This post is sponsored by Carol’s Daughter.

Do Hair Products Ever Expire?
By NaturallyCurly ·

Would you drink spoiled milk? No. That pretty much goes without saying, right? If we see an expiration date on our food, we throw it away. This can’t always be said for hair and beauty products–many of us are guilty of not paying attention to those expiration dates, although they are equally important.

Cool, dry storages allow for 3 years of shelf life.

For the most part, we know that our shampoo and conditioner bottles are usually kept in our showers or bathroom cabinets–where they are far from cool and dry. Keep that in mind when trying to hold on to your Holy Grails. They may need to be replaced.

Date the bottle when you buy it.

With a permanent marker, write the date on the bottle when you start using it. Once open, the shelf life can decrease as much as 50%. With the bottle constantly being opened and closed, it’s also getting exposed to bacteria in the shower and bathroom.

Notice a sudden change? Contact the company

If you’re uncertain as to why after just a short period of time (a few weeks to 2 months”> a product has changed its smell, color, or consistency, contact the manufacturer directly–they may be able to answer your question or even possibly replace your product. Although using an expired product shouldn’t cause you harm, its main ingredients are likely ineffective and won’t work as they were originally meant to.

Wash your styling tools & brushes.

If they are maintained and cleaned, they can usually last up to five years. Brushes, combs, and makeup brushes should be washed with a gentle shampoo or soap regularly. Wipe down heat tools with a warm, damp cloth at least once a month–unplugged, of course.

Makeup shelf life:

  • eyeshadow: 2 years
  • blush: 2 years
  • bronzer: 2 years
  • eyeliner pencil (kept sharpened”>: up to 2 years
  • eyeliner (liquid”> 3-6 months
  • concealer (liquid”>: 1 year
  • foundation (cream”>: 12-18 months
  • lipstick: 1 year
  • lip gloss: 18-24 months
  • mascara: 3-4 months
5 Beauty Boosting Properties of Ginseng
By NaturallyCurly ·

Ginseng is a wonderful homeopathic and medicinal herb, with super powers that go beyond teas and recently have entered the world of beauty care as well.

The ginseng plant flourishes in Siberia, Northern China, as well as parts of Korea and Vietnam. This nutritious herb belongs to the 11 species of slow growing perennial plants. Its fleshy roots and leaves carry potent medicinal properties derive.

Here are the top 5 beauty benefits of Ginseng:

1. Combats hair loss

A healthy immune system allows the body to fight off illness and infections. Taking ginseng (capsules or teas”> helps with blood circulation and optimum oxygen adsorption by the blood. In turn, ginseng improves the internal flow of the immune system and helps prevent hair loss.

2. Fights aging

Ginseng has been acting as an anti aging treatment for many years. It promotes the body’s natural metabolism, stimulating and activating the skin to stay firm, and young. Ginseng helps in the production of natural collagen, making your skin firmer. It also rids skin of free radicals.

3. Tones the skin

Try this recipe for a homemade ginseng toner that will keep your skin fresh, firm and clean:

Stew ginseng (whole herb found at health food stores and whole food markets”> in a pot of water for two hours. Allow it to cool, funnel it into a bottle and use daily. (keep the bottle refrigerated”>. 

4. Tightens complexion

Ginseng plant leaves contain lots of rich vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants which are great for skin , and overall health. Ginseng tea is particularly helpful for rehydrating and refining skin.

5. Treats under eye circles

Try making this mask to rid the lines and dark circles around your eyes:

Mix ginseng powder with milk or honey to form a paste. If you need to thicken the paste, add some egg white or oat flour.

Spread the paste around your eye area and allow to dry for 5-10 minutes.

Wash off and remove with warm water and splash your face with cold water before your finish.

Hair products infused with ginseng:

Yogi Ginseng Tea is a great option for getting these benefits orally. You may purchase it at your local grocery store. It’s also available online here. [prodmod]
AG Smoothing Balm Review on Frizz & Flyaways
By NaturallyCurly ·

AG Smoothing Balm product reviewSusonnah has fine, wavy hair so she usually stays away from products with the word “balm” in the name. But she says this balm melts away in your hands like butter, leaving you with a weightless formula that she uses to smooth flyaways and tame frizz.

Scrolling through the reviews of our curly community, it looks like curlies from Type 2c to Type 4c felt that the light formula gave them soft curls and helped with frizz. Many also said a little goes a long way. You can read all of the reviews here.

Watch the Video

[prodmod]

This post is sponsored by AG Hair Cosmetics.

"What’s a Good Demi Permanent Color For Gray Hair?"
By NaturallyCurly ·

Our Q&A Section allows our dedicated curly community members to post, ask, and answer questions all things hair related. Be sure to stop by to engage with others like you and earn points while doing so! Member Northernlights recently posted this question:

Question:

“I have thin 3b hair, fair amount of grey but not enough that it looks good completely natural (yet”>. I’d been using Ion demi color but for me it’s permanent color (really porous”>. I’ve tried several semi brands but they wash out in about a week. Looking for a good longer lasting deposit only color (a month? little longer?”> Suggestions?”

Answer:

Typically, a demi color is only supposed to last 20-28 shampoo/washes. They’re versatile and offer an arrangement of colors, but their duration is shorter than semi-permanent colors. Demi colors are more gentle on the hair shaft, as they do not open up the cuticle or penetrate the inner hair shaft as others do.

Color brand suggestions

As always with hair color, try the at-home strand test if it’s your first time using that brand. Demi-permanent color is also a great time to try out new colors as they fade after just a few weeks.

Have a wavy, curly, or coily Q?

Have a question about your hair and need an answer ASAP? Stop by our Q&A section to get helpful advice from curlies like yourself!

[prodmod]
"The Pineapple Method Didn’t Work–Now What?"
By NaturallyCurly ·
Our Q&A Section allows our dedicated curly community members to post, ask, and answer questions all things hair related. Be sure to stop by to engage with others like you and earn points while doing so! Member Orange Swirl recently posted this question:

Question:

“I’ve been giving this pineappling thing a try for about a month now. I was excited when I first found out about it but I’ve been disappointed with the results ever since. I always wake up with a huge dent in my hair …What are some other ways of wearing your hair overnight to protect the natural curl pattern (natural being the key word, I don’t want a new pattern from twist outs or bantu knots”>?”

Answer:

Pile It

Loosely pile your hair on your head and tie it with a cotton hair tie or wrap.

Dampen and Style

You can slightly wet or dampen your hair, add a quarter size dollop of conditioner & gel (if the gel is too much for your hair, just stick with the conditioner”>. Then pile it up and tie up loosely.

Silk or Satin

It’s also best to sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase so your hair maintains shape and definition without drying out too much or catching onto the risky fibers.

Morning Refresher

In the morning, twist your hair into shape. If you need to, add some more water (with a spray bottle”> and lavender drops–to help bring back the shape and definition in your hair. If you’re not a huge fan of lavender oil, replace with your fave curl refresher (see recommendations below”>. [prodmod]

Product recommendations for 3B curls:

Have a wavy, curly, or coily Q?

Have a question about your hair and need an answer ASAP? Stop by our Q&A section to get helpful advice from curlies like yourself!

[prodmod]
2 Aloe & ACV Recipes That Add Sheen
By NaturallyCurly ·

aloe vera gel and apple cider vinegarApple Cider Vinegar–known as ACV–has become known as a health and beauty “elixir.” There is a long list of the many health benefits of ACV varies from easing cramps, to clearing stuffy noses, to fighting bad breath and helping to lower cholesterol. The beauty benefits of ACV include creating facial masks (combined with bentonite clay”>, skin toners as well as  hair rinses and treatments.

What does ACV do for natural hair?

The restorative properties of ACV clean hair, getting rid of buildup and creating curls that have sheen and bounce.

Here are two treatments to try at home. They’re easy to make and can help do , natural, wonders for your curls! AVC is combined with aloe with these in order to help maintain extra moisture as you cleanse.

Aloe ACV Rinse

Combine and mix (in a spray or applicator bottle”> the following:

  • 4 oz aloe vera gel
  • 1 tsp ACV
  • Distilled water

Directions

  1. Cleanse hair with a sulfate-free shampoo.
  2. Clip hair into sections with plastic clips. 
  3. Apply the rinse from roots to ends.
  4. Gently rub the mixture into your scalp till the water is clear and the residue is gone.
  5. Rinse each section in cool to tepid water.

ACV and Aloe Spray Treatment

In a spray bottle, combine:

  • 1 tsp ACV
  • Aloe Vera Juice

Directions

  1. Shake all ingredients in the bottle.
  2. Apply the spray to each section of your scalp.
  3. Apply your usual daily conditioner and continue with your regular wash routine.
The Pixie Cut Is Awesome (Here’s Why)
By NaturallyCurly ·

Fighting summer frizz and wind-blown flyaways can be a bit of a struggle. If you are seeking something simple this summer, you just may want to try a Pixie cut for your waves and curls. You can use this styling method any time of year and it looks amazing on any length of hair and hair type.

What does a Pixie cut require?

This cut is a very short, cropped style. With thicker or curly hair, this style doesn’t take as much maintenance as you may think. And, it also doesn’t require a precision cut. “You want to show off the texture and choppiness,” says Ouidad creative director, Morgan Willhite. The bonus of the pixie cut is that you can easily allow hair to air dry and use minimal amount of product to keep it under control. Be sure to have a good idea of the exact pixie cut you’re asking for as you communicate with your stylist. Bring in photos and ideas that you like for your hair type.

The pixie curl style method, however, is just one method in which hair can be dried and styled for better definition, or simply , just something different that can help fight frizz.

What makes the Pixie so great, though?

The best part of Pixie-Styling is that you need all of one tool–your dryer/diffuser! You can use your bowl or sock diffuser (or any of the many other diffusers out there”>, and style with your favorite products. You may want to use a heat protectant like Aveda Brilliant Damage Control or Tresemme Heat Tamer spray. By diffusing you are protecting your hair from direct heat and allowing the heat to , literally, “diffuse” through your hair.

MORE: How to Style a Pixie

PHOTO COURTESY OF XOVAIN

Maintaining your pixie at home

  • After your shower, prep your hair with your favorite product(s”>–a good gel and leave-in are effective in this method. You can loosely twist sections with your fingers and prep them for drying.
  • Set your hairdryer on a higher setting as making it lower and less hot could cause some frizz. Try to cut the amount of heat by setting your dryer a little higher. Many people who use this method find that curls tend to do better with higher heat and less time.
  • Flip your hair over (helps with volume”> and take one small section of hair, twist it loosely then place it on the diffuser and dry it with your diffuser by pushing up and working roots to ends and finishing with the dryer close to your head. Then, stop. Literally stop. Shut off your dryer and move to your next section then start again.
  • The idea is not to “blow” hair around and move it as little as possible. Do the same for every section of hair. You don’t want to spend more than 1 minute per section. If you’re hair is still wet, then go around a second time. If you’re afraid to use too much heat, do 1 or 2 “rounds” and get your hair 85-90% dry, then let the rest dry on it’s own. Most importantly, do not touch it as it dries – you will get frizz.
  • If you have a lot of hair, or it’s longer, you may want to opt for clips–both before and after the Pixie drying method. First, style with the products you normally use, then section, using clips, and begin to dry via the Pixie method. After you are done and the heat is off, you may opt to clip the hair again and pass over with your diffuser one last time.

You may need to experiment with the products you use for your hair type for this method as well as the heat settings and amount of time you need for each section. To help with the amount of time you expose your hair to heat you may want to look for an ionic or tourmaline dryer. These tools help speeding up the drying process yet leave hair shiny and healthy.

"My 2B Hair Is Frizzy, Should I Cut It?"
By NaturallyCurly ·

Our Q&A Section allows our dedicated curly community members to post, ask, and answer questions all things hair related. Be sure to stop by to engage with others like you and earn points while doing so! Member Danniro recently posted this question:

Question:

“My mom always insists that I should have my hair shorter because it will look better that way apparently and she thinks it will be less frizzy.

Now that I’ve found my true 2b texture (always thought I was a 2a”> I’m pretty satisfied with how curly my hair is, which is almost halfway down my back. But, there is still a lot of frizz and it’s not that shiny, particularly near the roots.

Could cutting my 2b hair shorter make it less frizzy? Is my texture better off shorter?” 

Answer:

Danielle, the length of your hair does not necessarily deem your hair’s texture. Even with the best haircut possible, you will still have to do some of the work to keep it looking shiny, defined and healthy. Your texture is here to stay – unless you have it chemically altered.

Find a stylist who understands

Knowing your curl/wave type is important, and it’s a great point to start working from. Finding a stylist who understands the look you are trying to achieve is also very important. And lastly, maintaining your style and cut, to avoid too much frizz, is also important. Find photos of what’s close to your hair type (and color”> and bring them to a stylist who has worked with curly hair and knows the ins and outs of cutting and styling waves and curls.

Work with your frizz, not against it

Yes, the length of your hair will “pull” it down a bit, but you may still encounter frizz on warm, humid days, or as the weather changes. Trying out a new look and going from longer to shorter may give your waves some bounce and definition too–especially if they haven’t been cut in a while. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as well as for his or her input about the cut you’re looking to achieve.

Every hair type, texture, thickness, and length require different things. Learn how to maintain your new style–find products that are safe, and right, for your hair. Experiment and see what works for you. After washing your hair, towel dry with a microfiber towel instead of terry cloth, and use cool air on your blow dryer instead of hot. That way, your hair cuticles will lay flat, reducing the amount of frizz.

Use products with honey & marshmallow root

For type 2 hair that is prone to frizz, try silicone-free products with honey or marshmallow root like MopTop Daily Conditioner, Milk+Honey Tangle Free Pudding, Nubian Heritage Honey & Black Seed Leave-In Cream, or Samy Esencia Marshmallow & Yarrow Styling Mousse.

Have a wavy, curly, or coily Q?

We want you to have your healthiest, happiest hair possible! If you have any questions, feel free to visit our Q&A Section for helpful advice from curlies like you!

[prodmod]
Tips for Buying Hair Cutting Shears
By NaturallyCurly ·

In the world of the natural and curly hair community, women have been more inclined than ever to practice everything at home when it comes to their personal beauty and haircare–styling, coloring, even trimming their own hair. Although these are great ways to save money, they should be done only after thorough research of what exactly your hair needs has been conducted. Want to save a trip to the beauty shop and start trimming your own hair at home? Purchasing professional shears can safely ease you into the DIY life that most naturalistas choose to lead.

The basics

Shears used for hair cutting are about 6 inches in length and have equal sized “eyes” and handles. Other types of shears are designed for very large cutting jobs. Scissors can range in size and can be under 6 inches (and over”> in length and usually have one handle that is longer than the other. Scissors are used for lighter cutting tasks.

What to look for

Hardness and temper

With a harder blade, you will always have uniformity when cutting.

Smooth in your hands

Most cutting should feel smooth each time the tool opens and closes. It’s important that every cut feels this way with the scissor to prevent fatigue.

The blades and screws

Blades should always meet at only one point at any given position and they should be concave, slightly, on the insides. The screws that join that blades should allow a professional to sharpen the blades and reassemble them with ease.

A comfortable handle

The handle of the scissor should have a comfortable “eye” for the fingers to fit. Sizes and shapes of the eyes of handles, over time, has changed. Some are lined in rubber or other plastic finishes to make it more comfortable for fingers to hold and cut over longer periods of time. Be sure to “fit” your scissor handles as you look for the pair that works for you.

Testing the quality

  1. Look at the scissors from the side (in a closed position”>. The tips of the blades should meet and you should be able to see between the blades.
  2. Open the scissors fully and allow the blades to fall towards one another. The blades should not stay open nor should they close completely, but they should meet about half way.

Maintaining your shears

You should have them resharpened by a professional on occasion. You should also add a small drop of oil at the point near the screw to help in maintaining them for a longer period of time.

Recommended brands

NEXT: How to Trim Your Own Bangs