HowToDoThings.com Beauty & Grooming

How To Cut Your Own Hair

Elizabeth69 — Fri, 19 May 2006 11:18:00 -0500

For some people, going to the salon or barber shop is an enjoyable experience. For others, it is something that they would rather not do. Whether it is because of the cost or other factors, if you decide to cut your own hair, you should keep a few things in mind.

Wet hair is much easier to cut than dry hair. Start with freshly shampooed, tangle-free hair. Keep a bottle of water with a spray nozzle nearby so that you can dampen your hair if it begins to dry while you are working on it.
Be sure that your scissors are nice and sharp to avoid pulling your hair. If you plan to cut your hair on a regular basis, it will be worth investing in a good quality pair of scissors designed specifically for use on hair.
No matter what style you choose, cut a little at a time, especially if you are a beginner. You can always cut it a little shorter, but once you've gone too short, all you can do is wait for it to grow back!

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How To Remove Acrylic Nails

Brianna221 — Tue, 09 May 2006 17:30:00 -0500

First, walk to the nearest door. Then, carefully place your fingernails in the doorframe. Ready? Great, now slam the door. There you go...your acrylic nails are gone!

OK, just kidding, but in all seriousness, removing your artificial acrylic nails can be every bit that painful if you don't take proper measures to ensure that the procedure is as easy and non-damaging as possible. In order to achieve naked nails the easy way, you're going to need a few tools:

How To Choose Men's Hair Styles

Cindy286 — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 06:19:00 -0500

These days men are getting on the personal grooming wagon more than ever. Just like women, the right hair style can improve a man's appearance instantly. When choosing men's hair styles you'll want to pay attention to the trends out there, as well as what style works best with your hair.

Work with what you've got. There's no sense in working against your hair type. Instead, choose a men's hair style that will show off your hair in its best light. For example, fine hair, as a general rule, should be kept short to make it appear thicker.
Don't fight the curl. If you have naturally curly hair, avoid men's hair styles meant for straight hair. There are plenty of hair styles out there that will work with, or at least help tame, your curly hair.

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How To Highlight Hair

Cindy286 — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 09:04:00 -0500

Highlighting your own hair at home can be a great way to change your look and save on money. While it does take some know-how and attention to detail, if you decide ahead of time on the look you want to achieve, and get the right products, highlighting your hair at home can be fun and rewarding.

How To Make Perfume

Melissa439 — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 21:14:00 -0500

The price of perfume these days is pretty steep. For a bottle of a popular perfume by Ralph Lauren or Chanel, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50-$100. This price is pretty high for a scent that is not even unique! For a whole lot less money and a few ingredients, you can make your own customized perfume and monitor what goes into it as well.

The basic formula for perfume is 15% to 30% essential oil, 70% to 80% of pure grain alcohol, such as vodka, and 5% of distilled or bottled spring water. Essential oil can be replaced with fragrance oil for a cheaper quality and price perfume. Essential oil can easily be found in a craft store or health food store. Store your perfume in a small glass or plastic container. You can buy a container with a sprayer at almost any local craft store. You might also be able to find vintage perfume bottles at thrift stores or flea markets.

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How To Choose the Right Makeup for Blue Eyes

Mary75 — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 12:39:00 -0500

To debunk the myth, there are no particular eye shadow colors that are perfect for blue eyes. When the color is the right shade and applied correctly, I believe that a person with any color of eyes can wear any color of eye shadow. Because that doesn't help you go to the store and pick out an eye shadow here are some guidelines.

There are two predominate schools of thought on how to choose eye shadows:

How To Choose a Hair Color That Suits You

Staff468 — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 16:48:00 -0600

Does your face look tired and haggard, with discolored bags under your eyes? Does your complexion seem unhealthily pale, oddly reddish or sallow? What color are the veins in your arms?

Believe it or not, all of these questions are relevant when you are trying to choose the right hair color. Here are some tips.

The fundamental objective: don't try to match... try to complement. For example, if your skin has some ruddy coloring, don't dye your hair red. Instead, add color that softens the red in your face. If your skin has a sallow tone that you consider unpleasant, your remedy will not be to add more yellow or gold tone to your hair, but rather to soften the yellow complexion and bring other tones to the forefront by adding richer, complementary color to your hair.

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How To Do a French Twist

Staff468 — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 18:10:00 -0600

The French twist is a simple but elegant way to wear your hair. I used to be intimidated by the French twist until I realized that I was already doing a sloppy version of one before I take my shower every morning. If you are a long-haired women used to throwing your hair up and poking something in it to hold it there (pencil, anyone?), you'll be able to pull off a French twist. Your hair should be at least shoulder length to wear this style well. A few strands that stray look marvelous but if large pieces of your hair fall down from the twist, it detracts from the style's sleekness, which is its main appeal. Here are some tips on how to do a French twist well.

How To Pin a Chignon

D605 — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 01:23:00 -0600

The chignon is a great "updo" hairstyle for a special occasion. It shows off your neck and shoulders, and highlights your cheekbones as well as the great earrings or necklace you are wearing!

A chignon is basically a bun. This is what makes it so versatile. Unless your hair is very short, almost anyone can wear it. Done properly, it will stay in place all night so you don't have to worry about your hair. But this isn't a harsh "librarian" bun; a chignon is softer and looser, which gives you versatility. And once you know how to do it, the chignon is great if you are in a rush to get out the door!

How To Get Acrylic Nails Applied

Brandylou — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 10:54:37 -0500

Getting acrylic applied to your natural nails is a quick way to lengthen and strengthen thin, chipped or chewed nails. You can also use them to make a fashion statement by having them detailed or painted any color you like. There is a myriad of choices for artificial nails; you are sure to find something to suit you. When getting your nails done, there are a few things to consider.