If You Have Dull, Brittle Hair With Split Ends Read On To Find Out How To Solve These Long Hair Problems.

I know lots of attractive women who have short hair and who look absolutely amazing, but this has never ended my love affair and fascination with having long hair. I have spent the last 10 years or so battling with the main problems you can have when you grow your hair long and sometimes when my hair is tangled after washing for a few seconds I think of running to the hairdresser and getting a short, short cut ... but this thought only lasts for a minute - I don't want to be parted from my long locks. However, I thought I would list here some of the problems with longer hair and a few of the remedies and cures that I have found helpful. I hope that they help you too if you have long hair or you are in the process of growing it.

How To Help and Repair Hair That Is Brittle and Dull

Firstly, if possible, cut down on the amount of chemical treatments you apply to your hair, such as colours or relaxing solutions for curly hair. Also try and let hair dry naturally and reduce the use of hair straighteners and curlers. However, if your hair is suffering already, you need to treat your hair to help it recover. Use a mild shampoo as infrequently as possible, sometimes even just rinsing your hair through in the shower in the morning if you wash your hair daily and then applying a rich conditioner. Ideally use a hot oil treatment at least twice a week as well.

How To Improve The Look Of Split Ends

It is not really possible to repair split ends - once they are split the only remedy is to have them trimmed off at the hairdresser. However, you can stop them becoming any worse and improve the look of them (they tend to look fuzzy) by applying a leave-in conditioner which will improve the condition of your unhappy hair. Split ends are caused in lots of ways, not just by hair being exposed to the elements such as sun and wind, but by combing hair when it is wet when it can stretch by up to 25%, or just by vigorous brushing which can disturb the hair cuticle.

How To Stop Your Hair Breaking Off

Hair breakage can have many causes, but one of the main ones is having a high peroxide or high tint colour applied to your roots month after month at the hairdressers - where the new colour seeps onto the already colour treated hair it can break off as it becomes extremely over-processed and weak. In addition, if you colour your hair and then clip it up or tie it back you can suffer breakage at the hairline where the hair is pulled away from the scalp, and also where the band or clips are fastening the hair. To avoid breakage, don't over-colour your hair, treat it gently, don't tie it up whilst sleeping and apply the best moisturising conditioner you can afford.

What To Do With Knotty And Tangled Hair

One of my pet hates is trying to get knots and tangles out of my hair even after it has been conditioned - of course using a wide tooth comb! There are specific detangling products available which can help, but the main causes of tangled hair are dry ends which need trimming or hair which has highlights or has been lightened by several shades.  This happens because over processing the hair with highlighting treatments causes the cuticle to become porous rather than smooth leading it to tangle easily.  Again a leave in conditioner which will temporarily smooth the cuticle is the answer to easier combing.

Do You Want To Sparkle And Shimmer This Season - Here's How To Make The Most of A Glittering Wardrobe

Wow, this season it is hot, hot, hot to wear anything that glitters. Sequins were more than abundant on the autumn/winter catwalks of 2009 and this trend has also made its way out into our high street and designer stores. This is fantastic as we are flying towards the party outfit season but how much of our outfit should shimmer and glitter? What do we wear with our glittering dress, how much glitter is too much glitter?

Here are some great tips on how wear this latest trend, so you can sparkle with style, alongside Jennifer Lopez who actually wore this shimmering bronze dress to a celebration at the White House this month (picture courtesy of Getty Images).

• Jennifer looks fantastic in this sweet, short, bronze dress, which suits her darker skin tones and hair - but many of us might feel uncomfortable in something which glitters like gold, so look for the LBD which is accessorised with sequins - this looks very classy, but the sequins will add glamorous shimmer.
• If you do want to go for a gold or silver dress think about accessorising in black, with a black clutch bag and sandals and possibly a black shrug or pashmina to throw around your shoulders.
• Black opaque tights will also look fantastic with a coloured, sequinned dress, or if you have lovely pins then get them out and wear your short sequinned dress with some of the latest ankle boots for an on trend look.
• If you want to wear a toned down glittering look, wear a sequinned or shimmering skirt with a black top and again either opaque tights or ankle boots.
• Remember if you are dressed in a shimmering ensemble, then the jewellery you choose to accompany your outfit should not distract from it but complement it. Look for simple designs - if you are wearing a black, sequinned dress look for simply designed silver jewellery.

How To Create The Cheryl Cole Smoky Eyes Look

Cheryl Cole has been voted the "Sexiest Woman in the World 2009" and has also been labelled "the nation's new sweetheart" and the reason for this is no surprise when you see pictures of her looking amazingly well groomed and perfectly presented. One of her greatest trademark features is her smoky eyes which can be seen here. She wears the look perfectly, not over the top but just cool and sultry enough. If you want to try and create the Cheryl Cole look yourself it is pretty straightforward and you will need the following products:

• Loose face powder
• Eye primer
• Good quality medium grey and charcoal eyeshadows
• A high-lighter
• Eyebrow pencil
• Black length building mascara

How To Create The Cheryl Cole Smoky Eye

• After applying a light foundation or eye primer apply your grey eyeshadow to your upper lid working from the centre of your eye to the outer corner and winging the colour out from your eye.
• Next, using the darker charcoal eyeshadow line this along your upper and lower lids, blending with an eyeshadow brush along your lash line, leaving no harsh lines.
• Using your highlighter apply this along your outer brow bone and then using your eyebrow pencil carefully darken your eyebrows along their natural line. Darker brows are required for definition when creating a smoky eye look.
• Using a lash lengthening mascara, apply two coats in black, allowing the first to dry before applying the second.
• Match this up with a nude, but glossy lip colour, and there you have it - the perfect Cheryl smoky eye look with glossy lips.

Earlier on today, I listened to an interview with Lauren Luke, the amazing lady who has become a celebrity in her own right making YouTube clips with great tips on how to create celebrity make up looks. Have a look at her Cheryl Cole video for more in depth detail on creating the Cheryl Cole make up look.

If you want to see more of Lauren Luke's great tips for celebrity make up they can be found in her great book on Amazon.co.uk with free delivery.