Do You Need to Conquer a Frizzy Hair Problem?

These helpful frizz conquering tricks are especially important to the beauty of curls.

Hair can become untamable and frizz because the cuticles do not lie flat due to heredity or damage from chemical processing and the sun.  However, there are a few helpful tricks that you can try to avoid constantly battling a frizzy hair problem. 

Your Shampooing and Conditioning Techniques Matter

The most important thing is to watch the way you shampoo your hair.   Instead of briskly scrubbing, you need to be gentle with your hands and apply the shampoo (a smoothing shampoo is best) more to your scalp, slowly massaging the scalp to blend it in.   Once the shampoo is worked in thoroughly, you should try using a wide-toothed comb to distribute the shampoo over your hair before rinsing out.

Regarding conditioning, there is a special procedure you should follow as well.  If you happen to have thick, coarse hair, apply the conditioner in just the same fashion as you did for massaging the shampoo into the scalp, followed by combing through with the wide-toothed comb before rinsing.

Working With Your Hair Texture Also Plays a Role in Conquering Frizz

On the other hand, if you have fine hair, then you need to apply the conditioner only to the ends of your hair, not your entire head.  You can use the wide-toothed comb and this will gently get the conditioner through the rest of your hair before rinsing out.

A Frizz-Fighting Serum Provides Additional Defense From Frizz

A good idea is to add a frizz-fighting serum as a part of your routine before drying either by blow-dryer or naturally.  A pea-size amount is all you need.  Serums are great for anyone with thick, coarse hair while the cream versions are best for those with fine hair. 

Vitamin D May Dramatically Help Osteoarthritis!

Here is an interesting thing I read about the correlation between Osteoarthritis and Vitamin D.  According to one Australian study of 880 people between the ages of 51 to 79, they noticed upon examination of their knees that the ones deficient in Vitamin D had significantly less knee cartilage and more pain than others suffering from the same condition.

Though Vitamin D will not reverse the disease, it can help to slow the progression and may put off the need for surgery, those researchers had found.

Since few foods are high in Vitamin D, it is better to take a supplement to safeguard yourself. The recommended requirement currently suggests 1,000-2,000 IUs.  However, that dosage is set to change and will probably increase.   Dosage may vary from one individual to another depending on age, weight, other supplement, herbs or drugs that you're taking, etc.

However, it you intend to go beyond 4,000 IUs a day, you may need a blood test to see if you're not getting too much and harming yourself.  Do check with your doctor to find the exact needed amount that's safe and right for your own body. 

Harvey Prince Natural Perfumes Review and Eau Flirt Perfume Giveaway!--Ends August 24, 2011

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Flirt, Coupling and Eau de Creme perfumes



Until now, I have never tried any of Harvey Prince natural perfumes.  However, I was sent several  to review and now am a big fan of their incredible creations.   Let me explain because even in closed packages, the unforgettable fragrances radiating from inside the shipping box were special and intoxicating blends that delighted me--and then I tried them on and automatically fell in love!  I wish computer technology was more advanced so I could share these captivating scents with you through the computer then you would understand my sudden new passion for this company!  



If you're afraid to make the first move with the opposite sex for lack of confidence, then I discovered the perfect solution for you in their Eau Flirt Perfume.  You'll feel male heads turn as you wear this attention-grabbing perfume with its pumpkin pie and lavender notes, known to stimulate a passionate response from men in this treasure of a fruity-floral  enhanced with the perfect blend of sweet lavender, citrus, jasmine, freesia, ylang ylang and delicately spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, and ambers for subtle warmth.  Wearing Eau Flirt is like you cast an invisible net over men because you will be luring them in without effort once you wear this perfume and the compliments start rolling in.

Eau de Creme is a perfume that will make YOU his new sweet addiction!  This is a gourmand/fruity  type of fragrance  with bright pink passion fruit mingling with rum raisin, citrus, vanilla, patchouli, and chocolate that he won't be able to stop craving once you wear it.  It's romantic, playful, and just a bit daring.

Coupling is the next Harvey Prince perfume I adored because it is a memorable joyous fragrance that is innocent, slightly naughty, but powerfully enticing with notes of pumpkin, wild gardenia, fresh cucumber, nutmeg, jasmine, marigold, patchouli, and vanilla to give it dimension and character.  This is the needed perfume to get him hooked and then to reel him in, ladies!

Eau Fling is the boldest perfume of the selection I tried with jasmine, lavender, and pumpkin pie to seduce followed by black current, plum, raspberry, apple, jasmine, nutmeg, cinnamon, musk and rare woods.  You will be undeniably irresistible wearing this sensual, slightly spicy fragrance made to ignite his passion.

I am very sincere when I praise Harvey Prince perfumes because they are, indeed, incredible and worthy of your attention.  I can't wait to experience more of this exquisite line soon.

Thanks to Harvey Prince, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the United States or Canada wins a 1.7 oz. bottle of Eau Flirt perfume spray ($55 value)!

Eau Flirt 

Both Are Mandatory To Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then tell me so the name you follow me by with your email address in a comment.

2. Go to Harvey Prince and tell me which other product you would love to try or something you learned from their site in another comment.


Extra Entries:

Add @Nuts4Stuff to Your Twitter and tell me so in your comment with your Twitter id--1 extra entry

Tweet  #Win #EauFlirtPerfume #Giveaway @harveyprince via @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

Like Harvey Prince on Facebook--2 extra entries to leave in 2 separate comments. (Leave a message on their wall what you love about their products or if you have a favorite)

Follow Harvey Prince on Twitter--1 extra entry to leave in a comment

Subscribe to the Nuts 4 Stuff blog by email--1 extra entry (must confirm)

Subscribe to Nuts 4 Stuff in a reader--1 extra entry (Orange button in my sidebar)

List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--2 extra entries (leave 2 separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Blog about this giveaway and and comment with a link to the post--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where you left it in each comment)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 1 more extra entry)

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.  This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States and Canada.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.  Be aware that attempting to enter using multiple identifies will be grounds for disqualification. 

This giveaway ends August 24, 2011 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Redken's New TOUSLE WHIP 04 Review and Giveaway!--August 22, 2011

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Redken's New TOUSLE WHIP 04 

If you like that sexy, slightly wind-blown look of beach hair to your waves, then you should check out  Redken's new Tousle Whip 04 soft texturizing cream-wax that I was sent for this review and giveaway.

This product gives mild control with pearl pigments for a really beautiful shine without being hard to the touch from their special blend of oils and lightweight waxes that leave it soft as well. 

Any hair type can use this product to give some definition with some carefree texture and soft separation. 

I have some natural wave in my shoulder-length hair, on the other hand, and applied about the size of a silver dollar in the palm of my hand.  (You might want to use less depending on the length of your hair.)  Rubbing the wax to spread, I patted this to my towel-dried hair and then combed through to distribute it.  Next, I clipped my hair into sections and worked on one area at a time and twisted until it took shape before moving to the next section until my whole head was finished.

Tousle Whip 04 nicely pumped up my waves with loose, tousled curls even without blowing with a diffuser for more definition.  I applied one time without even blow drying after twisting my hair and loved the results just as it dried naturally.

Redken has a video to instruct online showing how to use this product.

I honestly did like this Tousle Whip 04 to use on my hair for when you want go for that sexy  disheveled texture of tousled beach hair. 

Thanks to Redken 5th Avenue, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the United States wins a full size 3.4 oz. jar of Tousle Whip 04 soft texturing cream-wax ($16 value)!


Both Are Mandatory to Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then tell me the name you follow me by in a comment along with your email!

2. Go to Redken and tell me which product you would love to try also or something you learned from the site in another comment.

Extra Entries:

Add @Nuts4Stuff to Your Twitter and tell me so in your comment with your Twitter id--1 extra entry

Tweet #Win #NEWfromRedken #TousleWhip04 #Giveaway! @Redken5thAve via @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

Like Redken  on Facebook--1 extra entries to leave in a comment

Follow Redken on Twitter--1 extra entry to leave in a comment

Subscribe to the Nuts 4 Stuff blog by email--1 extra entry (must confirm)

Subscribe to Nuts 4 Stuff in a reader--1 extra entry (Orange button in my sidebar)

List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--2 extra entries (leave two separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Blog about this giveaway and comment with a link to the post--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where you left it in each comment)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 1 more extra entry)

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.  This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.   Be alert that if you attempt to enter using multiple identities will be grounds for disqualification. 

This giveaway ends August 22, 2011 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Interested in How to Bring Your Old Wood Furniture Back to Life?

To refinish antiques or if you want to restore your old wood furniture back to its former glory, I have an interesting formula you may like.  Use equal parts of linseed oil, white vinegar, and turpentine and rub into your furniture or wood with a soft cloth.  This technique requires a lot of rubbing but it is worth the effort.

Another neat trick I discovered in for covering up knicks and scratches if you have dark wood furniture.  All you do is to make a thick paste from instant coffee and a little water. 

Next, you rub this mixture only into the knicks and scratches with a soft cloth.  You will be nicely surprised once this settles into those blemishes because it does an excellent job of fixing those problems. 

However, this coffee paste is not recommended to use on light wood!

How Saying Thank You Can Radically Change Your Mind Set for the Better!

Thank you is a powerful word that can change your world.

You may read the title of this post and laugh at how two simple words could possibly change the way you think or feel.  But, I assure you that there is great power behind that particular set of words once you take the time to remember to thank.

If you are in doubt, I dare you the next time the occasion comes up to say thank you and watch how a smile appears on the recipient's face when you remember to acknowledge their kindness through those two words.  Smiles are contagious.  You, too, will smile while feeling uplifted and suddenly happier in return.

Try to write thank-you notes and e-mails to those that do something nice for you.  Remember that saying what goes around, comes around?  Taking that minute to remember another's kindness toward you will do wonders for positively changing that person's day but also for yourself as well. 

Good things do happen to good people is a true statement because you will find in practicing saying thank you that you attract more positive people, things, and events into your life.

Even when you need to make an effort to say thank you when stressed or angry, do yourself a favor and try to remember uttering those two words aloud.  If no one did anything that needs your thanks right then, what is in your life that you are thankful for?  Look deeply past your problem or situation and in front of a mirror say thank you for what you have--your family, a wife, a husband, the children, your health, a job, perhaps?  Things always can be worst.  But, you are lucky because you have those people and things in your life!  The actual realization and practice of speaking those two words can turn bad negative thoughts into happy positive ones before you know it.

Do something out of the ordinary to help yourself today and call or write someone that last did something nice for you that you never got around to thanking.  I guarantee you that if you practice this rule of incorporating thank you into your life that it will change both your mind set and life for the better!

Make My Easy Homemade Cake Mix for a Variety of Cakes!

Let me share a great recipe with you to make your own homemade cake mix to have on hand.  This particular cake is better suited for a sheet cake than a layer cake.  However, it is delicious and very convenient to keep ready in your refrigerator (if using a margarine) or your pantry (if you prefer shortening) for those times when you crave something sweet and just don't feel like working!

What is really nice about this basic recipe is that you can use a healthier margarine and avoid preservatives and all those trans fats that come in packaged cake mixes.  You can also make a smaller 8" or 9" cake.

Another wonderful thing about this cake is that you can alter this basic cake mix recipe to get a few different cakes out of the same mix!  I will show you how a couple of changes will turn that basic recipe into a Yellow Cake, Chocolate Cake, Orange Cake or Lemon Cake snack cake like magic.

Trust me, you will love this fabulous timesaving recipe! 

Homemade Basic Cake Mix--Nuts Style!

3 cups of sifted all-purpose flour
2 cups of sugar
1-1/2 tablespoons of baking powder (I use Rumford only because it does not contain aluminum!)
1 teaspoon of salt
3/4 cup of margarine (Be careful to make sure the package states margarine, not spread.  A spread will never work for baking due to the high amount of water.  You can also use a shortening, which is less healthy in my opinion but it works as well.)

Add flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl or your food processor.  Mix together or process a few seconds before adding your margarine or shortening.  Work this mixture with your fingers or process it until it resembles cornmeal texture.  Store the margarine version in the refrigerator or the shortening one at room temperature.  This makes about 6 to 7 cups of mix.

To Make My Yellow Snack Cake:

2 cups of Basic Mix
1/2 cup of milk
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Preheat the oven to 375-degrees.  Grease an 8 or 9" square baking pan.   Stir the mix first before adding the rest of the ingredients in your bowl before pouring into a greased baking pan.  Bake about 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. 

To Make Chocolate Snack Cake Version:

2 cups of Basic Mix
1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup of very cold or ice water
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Prepare the same way as I instructed when making the yellow cake.

To Make Orange or Lemon Snack Cake Version:

2 cups of Basic Mix
1 large egg, slightly beatne
1 tablespoon of grated orange (for orange cake) or lemon peel (for lemon cake)
1/4 cup of either orange juice (for orange cake) or lemon juice (for lemon cake)
1/4 cup water

Prepare the same way as I originally instructed when making the yellow cake.
 

Are You in Need of Some Instant Energy?

The next time you feel tired, but still need to keep on going, you could try these simple tips to pep up. 

Stretching out on your bed or sofa for just five minutes for a short cat nap can do wonders to restore that zapped energy. 

Another way is to drink plenty of cold water through the day.  According to certain studies, energy levels improve when drinking small amounts of chilled water every 30 minutes all day long makes a tremendous difference.  When you feel exceptionally tired after a chore, then reach for that glass of chilled water and drink!

If you're sitting too long at a desk for a while, then get up and take a break.  Go for a short, but brisk walk to get your circulation working and that blood pumping.  If you're at work, you can get that energy back by walking swiftly down the hall. 

For those tied to the computer, you can disconnect and head outdoors for a short jaunt around the block.  Another idea is to use your stairs like a stair master a few times to get your blood pumping.  The idea is moving more increases energy. 

Acupressure is an amazing thing I highly recommend  as well as for some aches and pains, such as from an injury resulting in a muscle spasm.  Along your outer ear is where a lot of your head's pressure points are found.  You know when you locate a pressure point when it hurts compared to another non-painful spot along that area.  When you find that trigger point, you pinch that piece of outer ear and hold for a short time and then keep moving until you find the next trigger point.

I use acupressure all the time for different things.  This method helps quite a bit sometimes better than some drugs in my personal experience.  The only problem is sometimes finding the trigger points exact location on your body according to some published diagrams to accompany the book.

Snacking differently on nuts, raisins, and fruits instead of candy can help you sustain your energy levels better than jumping around sporadically like it does with typical junk food.

Hopefully, you will go from feeling blah to good again sooner than you think once you try these suggestions!
 

Redken 5th Avenue Color Extend Sun Hair Care Line Review & Giveaway!--Ends August 15, 2011

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**


The hair miracle workers at Redken 5th Avenue have developed new products to help defend your hair from sun damage with their Color Extend Sun Hair Care Line.  You can say a good-bye to sun-fried hair now and in the future with these three fantastic products that I recently tested for this review and giveaway.

Redken 5th Avenue Color Extend Sun Hair Care Line 

Let me start by saying how thrilled I was to learn about this new system since it means I can go hatless if I prefer and stop worrying about ruining my hair in the sun or when swimming  from salt or any chlorine.  Now how great is that bit of news!

I do have a large brimmed straw hat that I wear when spending extended time in the sun.  However, though my hat is pretty with ornate trimming and a slight slant to the brim, I sometimes neglect to wear it when I have an exceptionally good hair day and hate to crush it.  Vanity can leave you with a problem of straw-like hair before you know like it did with mine again until these products arrived.

The Color Extend Sun Hair Care Protection Line has a special Interbond Conditioning System and an Advanced Hydra-Shield Complex with Soplexyl, which later I discovered does amazing things quickly for crispy, color-treated hair like mine with unbeatable continuous protection even once it's rinsed out while returning the lost moisture and incredible gloss back to your hair.

Once my box arrived I went to work on my damaged hair that was lifeless and crunched when touched so I grabbed the Color Extend Sun After-Sun Shampoo.  I loved the fantastic fragrance of this product in this rich formula and followed with the award-winning Color Extend Sun After-Sun Mask, the deep conditioning treatment with mango oil and ceramide to revive that mass of straw that was on my head.

I used the maximum amount of time of 15-minutes to keep the After-Sun Mask on my hair before rinsing out.  Once I finished drying my hair, I felt new vitality return.

The next day I used the Color Extend Sun Solar Screen SPF 12 Spray first before going out in the sun to see how my hair would hold up.  The instructions mentioned applying it to dry or slightly damp hair thirty minutes before going outdoors.  I am glad to report when I returned home my hair still felt as soft as before I left.

I washed again with the After-Sun Shampoo and followed once more with the After-Sun Mask and my hair became even softer with a more magnificent shine. 

In fact, I can honestly report that with each use of these three products, the more glorious my hair looked!

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  No money was exchanged.  All I received were free products to facilitate this review.*

Thanks to Redken 5th Avenue, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the United States wins all three full size Color Extend Sun products:  After-Sun Shampoo,  After-Sun Mask,  and the Color Extend Sun's Solar Screen SPF 12 ($44.50 value)!


Both Are Mandatory to Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then tell me the name you follow me by in a comment along with your email!

2. Go to Redken 5th Avenue and tell me which product you would love to try also or something you learned from the site in another comment.


Extra Entries:

Add @Nuts4Stuff to Your Twitter and tell me so in your comment with your Twitter id--1 extra entry

Tweet #Win #HotSummerHair #ColorExtendSun @Redken5thAve #Giveaway via @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

Like Redken 5th Avenue  on Facebook--1 extra entries to leave in a comment

Follow Redken 5th Avenue on Twitter--1 extra entry to leave in a comment

Subscribe to the Nuts 4 Stuff blog by email--1 extra entry (must confirm)

Subscribe to Nuts 4 Stuff in a reader--1 extra entry (Orange button in my sidebar)

List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--2 extra entries (leave two separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Blog about this giveaway and comment with a link to the post--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where you left it in each comment)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 1 more extra entry)

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.  This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.   Be alert that if you attempt to enter using multiple identities will be grounds for disqualification. 

This giveaway ends August 15, 2011 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.