Split ends are the result of damage to the cuticle, or outer layer of the hair. This allows the fibers of the cortex to unravel. Split ends keep your hair from lying flat and diminish sheen, making hair look dull and unhealthy.

Heat styling and excessive dryness are the major culprits in causing split ends. Using a brush instead of a wide-toothed comb on wet hair can stretch and damage hair. The use of chemical preparations to dye hair also causes damage.

Prevent split ends by using a deep-moisturizing conditioner on ends and by avoiding too much styling. Protect hair daily by being careful when combing tangles, keeping hair conditioned, and allowing the hair to dry naturally occasionally to give it a rest from heat styling tools.

There is nothing you can do to repair split ends once you have them. The only way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off. Have ends trimmed regularly, avoid harsh styling products and keep hair well-moisturized to reduce the occurence of split ends.

There’s nothing like the smell of fall in the air. A sweet smell of fallen leaves fills the crisp air and the warm aromas of home greet you when you return. Pumpkin pie, apple spice, cinnamon and pecan.

Bath & Body Works brings those delicious scents to your bath with sweet scents that will warm your senses and pamper your skin.

Try Pumpkin Pie Paradise Three in One (body wash, shampoo and bubble bath), Body Lotion or exfoliating Pumpkin Scrub. Other Temptations scents include Pecan Passion, Spiced Apple Rapture and Cinnamon Bun Heaven.

In a couple of weeks the Autumnal Equinox will be upon us. The sun will cross the equator and the day and night will be of equal length. The beginning of Autumn also marks a new season of skin care that needs to be adapted to suit the changing season.

As Autumn moves in days are warm but with less humidity. Summer tans are fading, even those attained with self-tanners. Because we still can spend a lot of daylight hours outdoors, it is important to continue to use a sunscreen.

But perhaps we aren’t quite ready to adopt the pale face of winter just yet. The deep orange hue of a self-tanner might look more fake in the autumn setting but using one of the many “body glow” products can give you just a hint of sun-kissed color. The products that are combination moisturizer and color enhancer are perfect for this in-between season as they give a healthy glow and combat the increasing dryness of the weather.

Moisturizing is essential. Now is the time to condition skin, before the unavoidable dry air (both indoors and outdoors) that winter brings. Make it a point to drink more water. As the weather cools our natural thirst is not as great, so this has to be something you make part of your daily routine.

Be sure to use a moisturizing body wash. This is a great way to add some moisturizer to your daily regimen. If you normally use soap, replace it with something like Aveeno or Olay body wash. It’s a way to replenish the moisture that bathing can strip away from your skin.

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

L’Oreal Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer

Olay Complete Body Wash with Vitamins

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash

If your hair is processed, that is, permed or straightened, your hair is more susceptible to damage from drying and styling. Definitely use pre-styling products that protect the hair from thermal damage but you have to get more basic with your hair care, starting with your shampoo.

A mild shampoo is a must. You can try different shampoos in different price ranges. Salon shampoos are great but pricey; try one of the shampoos for colored and processed hair available at the drug or department store. Follow it up with an extra-moisturizing conditioner for colored hair. These products contain ingredients to protect and preserve hair color. Because your hair is more likely to be dry near the ends, concentrate conditioner in that area. Scalp hair may get oily if you use too much conditioner.

Finally, try washing your hair less often, say every other day instead of every day. Let it have a break occasionally from styling as well.

Our pick for price and quality is L’Oreal Vive Pro Color Shampoo. It contains UV filters to protect from sun-fading of your hair color and promises 45% more color rentention.