10 Winter & Holiday Travel Tips to Melt Your Worries Away

It's no secret that winter and holiday travel can be the most stressful occasion. Especially when the hustle and bustle of holiday travel starts, people become more distressed with long waits and unexpected challenges. If you travel by air or car during the cold season, you can count on more delays than you'd experience in the summer. Once bad weather appears during the peak times for air travel, we end up with the lengthiest flight delays, cancellations and missed connections of the year.

On the other hand, road travel has its share of annoyances and risks. There may be road closings, slower speeds due to snow or sleet, traffic accidents and other obstacles to throw you off track. However, don't let the winter and holiday travel season make you blue. Become a smarter and happier traveler for your next winter vacations — use TravelSense's winter travel tips to make life easier as you journey to and from your destination.

Airline Travel Tips: Flying Doesn't Always Lead to Disaster:

Can you feel your teeth grinding as you imagine flying to your destination? If you're traveling a great distance over the holidays, the last thing you need is a stressful airport experience to start your vacation on the wrong foot. Consider some of the simplest airline travel tips that can alleviate your worries.

Plan ahead for your own sanity:

 Waiting to the last minute always leaves a great deal of your trip up to happenstance. Of all of the top winter travel tips you may find, this is the one piece of advice that will be well worth spending the extra time and effort. Contact your travel agent to book your vacation in advance as soon as you can manage. Then, you'll be able to avoid peak travel dates, get lower airfare, fly direct (or minimize your connections) and fly early or late in the day to avoid the bigger crowds.

Leave at least an extra hour earlier:

 As you prepare for your winter vacation, give yourself more time than usual in order to anticipate the peripheral delays that could occur. Remember to bring some reading material while you wait in the security line or at your departure gate. In cities with snow or ice, arrival delays can exceed two to three hours and de-icing procedures can take an hour before takeoff.

Pack as light as possible for your holiday travel:

Since more airlines are getting stricter on baggage limits and weight allowances, packing less and lighter suitcases could save you money and time. If you're planning holiday travel to be with your family and friends, consider shopping online and having your gifts shipped to your destination. This strategy will help cut down on luggage and minimize the risk of losing any special gifts.

Steer clear of influenza:

Winter travel can be a frequent contributor to the cold and flu time of year, adding a miserable element to your winter or holiday travel stress. Before you leave, visit your doctor's office to get the flu shot or nasal spray flu vaccine, which is only available for ages 5-49. Most germs will spread by contact, so wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer constantly.

Stretch your legs often:

 If you find yourself in cramped quarters or passing time on long flights, there's the possibility you could develop Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), leading to blood clotting in your legs. So, remember this essential airline travel tip on your next flight — take some time to walk around and stretch your arms and legs once every hour.

Winter Driving Tips: Easier and Safer Winter Road Trips:

For road travelers, winter can also be the most dangerous time of year. Motor vehicle accidents involving bad weather, mostly ice and snow, claim the lives of 6,000 Americans and injure 500,000 more every year (National Center for Atmospheric Research, 2005). The following winter driving tips will help you stay safe and a little less anxious on your next trip.

Have your car examined before you leave:

 This is one of the most crucial winter driving tips. It's the climatic scene of many movies, where someone's car breaks down in a strange town. The last thing you want to worry about is your car falling apart, leaving you stranded far away from home. Take it to your local auto shop for a quick once over, and make sure your tires are winter ready and properly inflated.

Be prepared for a change in course:

 Before you depart, become confident in knowing your route. It's very important that you're ready for anything on the road that could slightly change your plans, including construction, road closings and traffic hurdles. Remember to keep the directions as well as appropriate state map(s) handy, in case you need to reroute your trip.

Stay hydrated for the journey:

 It probably seems like dehydration isn't very likely, but a recent Mayo Clinic study shows that a mere one- to two-percent loss of body weight can quickly lead to fatigue and decreased alertness, which could be deadly in icy winter driving. Also, your body requires more fuel in the cold — so rely on high-energy food including sandwiches, a thermos filled with soup and fruit.

Pack a winter safety kit for the car:

 Don't leave without the essentials for a safe road trip — a cell phone (don't forget the car charger); ice scraper; tow rope and jumper cables; sand or cat litter to aid with traction; blankets; flashlights, matches and emergency candles; first aid kit; portable radio; and a good book, in case you do get stuck.

Make frequent rest stops:

 Winter driving is much more fatiguing than in the summer, so you'll want to make time to stop and stretch your legs. Just a few minutes off the road will make all the difference in improving your alertness when you're back behind the wheel.

Source :http://www.travelsense.org

10 things pole dancing can do for you

Pole athletes from X-Pole SA Tarryn Knight, Sherry Bremner and Joanna Pawelczyk share the benefits of pole dancing:

1. Core workout:

“Pole is a fantastic core work out. You won't ever have to do sit ups or crunches again, and with time, that six pack will be yours. As someone who did weights at gym religiously four to five times a week before I started pole I can confidently say that no amount of gym gave me the same toned body that pole does”, says Joanna Pawelczyk.

2. Cardio:

At first glance, most people won't consider pole dancing to get their heart rates up, but this is where they're wrong because “cardiovascular activity is a key element to pole dancing routines. It can be quite an exhausting workout as you're doing lots of hectic strength moves in a row for three to four minutes. It's amazing for your body.

"If you want to whip yourself into shape just work on a routine for three months! That's where competing is good because it gives you a solid reason to work hard”, Joanna advises.

“When training for a competition or show, running a four to five minute routine provides a great anaerobic cardio burst. Depending on one's fitness levels, and the routine, a pole workout can easily provide you with the peak heart rate bursts you need for cardio health”, agrees Tarryn Knight.

“There’s nothing like doing a pole routine to get the heart racing. It’s not all just strength training, you build up a sweat very quickly if you keep moving around and on your pole”, says Sherry Bremner.

3. Tone up and lose weight:

If a strong core and cardio workout is not enough to convince you then perhaps toning might.

Joanna explains that “pole fitness is a very upper body intensive sport so your arms, shoulders and abs will be the first to tone up.

"You won't ever get huge or bulky though as you're always working with your natural body weight. Your pectoral (chest) muscles develop with pole which is the same effect as doing lots of push ups, just not nearly as boring, and you won't need a wonder bra for that extra lift" 

She says that certain poses in pole work the inner thighs and quads as well but the real leg work out comes from doing dynamic stretching exercises, which not only works your butt fantastically but makes you more flexible at the same time. 

With regard to dropping some kilos, Joanna says that pole fitness "can definitely help with weight loss as well but like any other form of exercise it’s not going to make you shed weight if you only do it once a week. I recommend three to four times a week minimum, and naturally, a healthy balanced diet."

“Whilst I have always been blessed with an athletic physique, I can certainly confirm that my muscle definition is much more pronounced when I've been training. I've seen my pole fitness friends develop defined abdominals, biceps and triceps. Even the conditioning exercises that we do off the pole are a very good workout for all areas of the body”, confirms Tarryn.

4. Strengthen your back:

In addition this, “pole fitness moves will develop your back muscles to be very strong. This, combined with a strong core, means reduced injuries from everyday life. You won't need a man to carry your groceries or move your couch - you can do it yourself!” says Joanna.

5. A healthy metabolism :

“My pole friends swear that they burn food more quickly when they are training for a show or competition. Since one of our pole friends owns a bakery, an increased metabolism is a welcome side-effect because we always have her delicious cupcakes backstage!” confesses Tarryn.

She says that pole fitness has given her 'hobbit eating habits', especially when she is training extra hard. "I eat breakfast and second breakfast, a pre-lunch snack, lunch, a pre-tea time snack, tea, my 4 o’ clock snack, pre-dinner and then dinner. Sometimes I have an after dinner snack if I am still awake working."

The pole athletes eat regular meals but try to keep it healthy, with lots of fruits and vegetables and proteins.

6. Coordination and balance:

Pole fitness also requires an incredible amount of coordination and balance. Learning to control spins, turns and pivots will strengthen muscles throughout your body.

“Back and core strength are required for pole fitness and these same ingredients enable good posture. Good posture is important for optimal lung functioning, healthy digestion, a healthy spine and an alert, engaged mind”, says Tarryn.

7. Flexibility:

Because Twirling yourself around a pole involves quite a bit of stretching, your flexibility will also reap the benefits.

Tarryn explains that flexibility is so important in aerial arts because there is often nothing off of which to leverage. Leg extensions, aerial splits, back bends. . . all pole poses and moves have to be performed with a person's own ability to create the shape without any leverage or assistance.

She reminds us that flexibility has undisputed benefits for injury prevention, recovery, general muscle and joint health.

8. Body confidence:

In addition to all of these fitness benefits, Joanna says that “pole fitness also gives you a sense of confidence, independence, sexiness and strength that no other sport can do. It isn't just amazing for your outer body but for your inner self too.”

It has helped Joanna and many other women with "body acceptance", she explains:

"When I first started pole I was horrified at the thought of having to wear shorts in public, being exceptionally shy about my legs and my pale skin. It was less than two weeks of classes before I owned my first pair of pole shorts and would happily walk about the studio in them. I very quickly realised that no one in a pole class judges you! Everyone is there to learn and be challenged and it unites you in a common cause. You learn to accept your body for what it is and turn your focus away from appearance and on to achieving that new pole trick you saw on Instagram. It's incredibly liberating. Of course, being such a great form of exercise, you start feeling stronger and more confident, and suddenly can't understand why none of your jackets fit anymore”, says Sherry.

9. Endurance:

“Pole, and the expression of dance, is so much fun that it's easy to lose track of time. When you don't realize how long you've been training for, your endurance increases with little effort. It's also possible to become so distracted by the determination to get a new move that one doesn't realise how much muscle power they are using. It's only the next day or two when your body feels stiff that you become aware of the good workout pole fitness provides.” says Tarryn.

10.   Laughter is the best medicine:

“The best part of pole is that it's incredibly fun – you don’t even think you're exercising. This also makes it easier to keep going and not give up,” says Joanna.

All the fun and laughter that comes with pole fitness allows you to tap into the mental and physical benefits to laughter – stress relieve, heart and general health benefits.

Source :http://www.health24.com

THE 10 BEST CAREERS FOR THE FUTURE

The world’s marketplace is a drastically different place than it was just a few decades ago. Finding employment that is going to be profitable now and in the future can be a challenge. This is a challenge that is faced by many young individuals who are trying to decide what field of study they should take in order to put themselves in the best position for future financial success. The following is a list of 10 fields that have the potential to grow and provide suitable employment now and in the future.

Best Careers for the Future:

Sustainability:

Everyday the environment is faced with very serious challenges. Questions exist as to whether or not the environment will be able to stand up to the onslaught of attacks that it is undergoing. Individuals who study sustainability will focus their studies on the environment. They will get environmental degrees, and they will finish school having the mindset of finding practical solutions to the problems facing the environment. The study course that individuals who get a degree in sustainability take will include understanding business, science, and the law. Additional emphasis is put on ways to manage resources and ethics. Individuals who choose to study in this field are setting themselves up to work in an area that will experience growth for decades to come.

Public Health Sector:

The public health sector will constantly need well-trained doctors, nurses, and technicians. There are multiple factors that indicate that the public health sector will grow over the next few decades. One factor is the rise in population. The second factor is the ever present threat of global epidemics.

Individuals who choose to get into the public health field will be able to work in a wide variety of settings. They can work in a lab and study public health from a statistical angle. They can work with lawmakers and try to form policies designed to protect public health. They can work with hospitals and directly interact with patients. Or they can work in conjunction with nonprofit organizations providing low cost and free healthcare to individuals in their community and around the world.

Robotics:

It is estimated that between 2012 in 2020 robotics will be responsible for between 2 million to 3.5 million new jobs. Robotics is influencing every aspect of modern life. Anesthesia Bots, for example, are being used to assist with surgery. Oceanographers are also using robotics to allow them to map the watery depths where humans currently cannot travel. As space travel continues to become more and more important, robotics are being included in things such as surveying the surface of foreign planets and engaging in exploratory missions. Individuals who work in robotics will likely study things like mechanical, electrical, and software engineering.

Business Analytics:

As long as there are businesses, business analytics will be an important job. It is estimated that over the next few years business analytics will see a sizable increase in demand. Business analytics is basically a business major. Individuals who are involved with business analytics will study things like computer software, math, statistics, and they will work to have strong communication skills.

Petroleum Engineering:

In recent years, advances in technology have made it possible for oil companies to retrieve oil from shale formations that just a decade ago could not be tapped. Because of this, there has been a sharp increase in the need for petroleum engineers. This increase is exacerbated by the fact that more than half of the current petroleum engineers working plan to retire within 10 years.

Petroleum engineering brings with it salaries that start in excess of $100,000 annually. Individuals who graduate with a degree in petroleum engineering will be able to work as either drilling engineers, production engineers, or reservoir engineers.

Biomedical Engineering:

This is a field of study that is of interest to individuals who are interested in the correlation between life that exists on the planet and science. They study living organisms, and then they see how some of the principles behind their movement and their existence can be used to improve things, like engineering and medicine. They are at the forefront of creating lifesaving apparatuses such as artificial organs. A good example of this is the artificial kidney which since its creation has improved the lives of more than 2 million individuals. It is estimated that between the years 2010 in 2020 this field will see a 62 percent growth in jobs.

Biometrics:

Biometrics in the field that teaches individuals how to make devices that recognize living organisms. A good example of this is the facial recognition system. It is believed that over the next few years biometrics and biometric readers will replace conventional forms of identification. They will also replace many of the passwords that individuals use on their electronic devices. Examples of this can be seen by smartphones, smart devices, and laptops that allow their owners to login using their fingerprint as a password as opposed to typing in a password manually.

According to the New York-based transparency market research, it is estimated that by the year 2018, biometrics are going to see growth by more than $360 million. Individuals who get a degree in biometrics can work as security consultants and intelligence analysts. They can also work in the design of the different biometric systems that are used by security agencies.

Forensic Science:

Forensic scientists are always going to be needed, especially when it comes to using some of the modern technology that has been designed to investigate crimes. Forensic scientists use technology as a way to help them better examine and better understand evidence that is produced in cases. Students who choose to study forensic science would expect to spend a good portion of their university time learning math, science, and also understanding how the criminal justice system works.

Computer Game Design:

Computer video game design is a field that is expected to continue to grow over the next few decades. Designers must understand complex mathematics, animation, audio, and programming. Video game and computer game design is not just for entertainment. These games are also used as a way to train firefighters, military personnel, and other first-responders on how to react during an emergency.

It is estimated by the year 2017, the video game market is going to reach $82 billion. This means that this is an area where the potential for growth is unlimited.

Cyber Security:

Every single year there is a new major attack on the major computer systems around the world. For this reason, governments and large companies are aggressively doing whatever they can to protect their computer systems. It is estimated that over the next two years, between 2014 and 2016, the Pentagon is going to hire more than 4,000 individuals who are experts in cyber security. In addition to jobs with the government, individuals who understand cyber security will find jobs at healthcare firms, energy firms, and any form of security firm. Students who work in cyber security, are required to understand how to “lift the hood” of computer programs and understand how and why certain computer programs operate in order to understand potential weaknesses.

Source :http://www.collegerank.net

HOW TO WASH YOUR FACE THE RIGHT WAY

Could washing your face the right way be the secret the better skin? According to Rebecca Tung, MD, chair of dermatology at Loyola University Chicago, the simple skin care step is more impactful than you might think."I've seen patients with really sensitive skin who 'wash' their faces with just water," she says. "That can lead to excess collections of acne-causing bacteria and yeast that result in seborrhoeic dermatitis—sort of like dandruff on your face." Here, Tung demystifies the perfect clean.

1. Wash at least every night, if not twice a day:

"At the minimum, washing your face before you go to bed is critical," Tung says. Yes, that's even if you're not wearing a smidge of makeup. To ace face washing, suds up morning and night. And always wash or use a wipe after a workout to fend off sweat-induced breakouts.

2. Remove your makeup:

That long-wear eye makeup and foundation isn't going to come off with cleanser alone. Use an oil-based makeup remover. Or keep a pack of face wipes like Neutrogena Makeup Removing Cleansing Towelettes on your bedside table so there's no excuse.

3. Divide and conquer with two face washes:

Not sure how to choose the best face wash for your skin? You can't go wrong with a soap-free cleanser, which is gentle enough to use on any skin type. One to try: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. Wet your face, and use circular motions to massage it onto your skin. Aim for at least 30 seconds of washing to let the cleanser do its job. If you tend to break out in your T-zone or get blackheads on your nose, take care of those trouble spots with an acne treatment that contains either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Those ingredients need to stay on your skin for about one minute to be effective. The truly acne prone can use a treatment wash all over, but overuse on any skin type can lead to redness and peeling.

4. Use warm to cool water:

"A lot of patients want to use hot water. They feel like they're almost giving themselves a little steam treatment, but it can be very irritating to skin," Tung says. Stick to lukewarm or cool water. Post-workout, try Tung's trick to cut down redness and flushing: Splash your face with cold water, which constricts blood vessels.

5. Consider power washing:

When it comes to getting the most intense clean, a powered cleansing tool such as Clarisonic does a more thorough, uniform job of cleaning off surface dirt than your hands or even a washcloth. Need more incentive to try one? "A tool tightens pores and increases the cell turnover of your skin. It'll help reduce acne and even minimize sun damage," Tung says. Plus, seeing it on your bathroom sink is better than a sticky-note reminder screaming, "Wash your face!"

6. Gently pat dry:

You're at the finish line: Gently pat skin dry with a clean, dry face towel.

Source :http://www.elle.com

Career Planning: An Activity for Job-Seekers of All Ages

Career planning is not an activity that should be done once -- in high school or college -- and then left behind as we move forward in our jobs and careers. Rather, career planning is an activity that is best done on a regular basis -- especially given the data that the average worker will change careers (not jobs) multiple times over his or her lifetime. And it's never too soon or too late to start your career planning.

Career planning is not a hard activity, not something to be dreaded or put off, but rather an activity that should be liberating and fulfilling, providing goals to achieve in your current career or plans for beginning a transition to a new career. Career planning should be a rewarding and positive experience.

Here, then, are 10 tips to help you achieve successful career planning.

1. Make Career Planning an Annual Event:

Many of us have physicals, visit the eye doctor and dentist, and do a myriad of other things on an annual basis, so why not career planning? Find a day or weekend once a year -- more often if you feel the need or if you're planning a major career change -- and schedule a retreat for yourself. Try to block out all distractions so that you have the time to truly focus on your career -- what you really want out of your career, out of your life.

By making career planning an annual event, you will feel more secure in your career choice and direction -- and you'll be better prepared for the many uncertainties and difficulties that lie ahead in all of our jobs and career.

2. Map Your Path Since Last Career Planning:

One of your first activities whenever you take on career planning is spending time mapping out your job and career path since the last time you did any sort of career planning. While you should not dwell on your past, taking the time to review and reflect on the path -- whether straight and narrow or one filled with any curves and dead-ends -- will help you plan for the future.

Once you've mapped your past, take the time to reflect on your course -- and note why it looks the way it does. Are you happy with your path? Could you have done things better? What might you have done differently? What can you do differently in the future?

3. Reflect on Your Likes and Dislikes, Needs and Wants:

Change is a factor of life; everybody changes, as do our likes and dislikes. Something we loved doing two years ago may now give us displeasure. So always take time to reflect on the things in your life -- not just in your job -- that you feel most strongly about.

Make a two-column list of your major likes and dislikes. Then use this list to examine your current job and career path. If your job and career still fall mostly in the like column, then you know you are still on the right path; however, if your job activities fall mostly in the dislike column, now is the time to begin examining new jobs and new careers.

Finally, take the time to really think about what it is you want or need from your work, from your career. Are you looking to make a difference in the world? To be famous? To become financially independent? To effect change? Take the time to understand the motives that drive your sense of success and happiness.

4. Examine Your Pastimes and Hobbies:

Career planning provides a great time to also examine the activities you like doing when you're not working. It may sound a bit odd, to examine non-work activities when doing career planning, but it's not. Many times your hobbies and leisurely pursuits can give you great insight into future career paths.

Think you can't make a hobby into a career? People do it all the time. The great painter Paul Gauguin was a successful business person who painted on the side. It actually wasn't until he was encouraged by an artist he admired to continue painting that he finally took a serious look at his hobby and decided he should change careers. He was good at business, but his love was painting.

5. Make Note of Your Past Accomplishments:

Most people don't keep a very good record of work accomplishments and then struggle with creating a powerful resume when it's time to search for a new job. Making note of your past accomplishments -- keeping a record of them -- is not only useful for building your resume, it's also useful for career planning.

Sometimes reviewing your past accomplishments will reveal forgotten successes, one or more which may trigger researching and planning a career shift so that you can be in a job that allows you to accomplish the types of things that make you most happy and proud.

For more about accomplishments, read: Tracking and Leveraging Accomplishments.

6. Look Beyond Your Current Job for Transferable Skills:

Some workers get so wrapped up in their job titles that they don't see any other career possibilities for themselves. Every job requires a certain set of skills, and it's much better to categorize yourself in terms of these skill sets than be so myopic as to focus just on job titles.

For example, one job-seeker who was trying to accomplish career planning found herself stuck because she identified herself as a reporter. But once she looked beyond her job title, she could see that she had this strong collection of transferable skills -- such as writing, editing, researching, investigating, interviewing, juggling multiple tasks, meeting goals and deadlines, and managing time and information -- skills that could easily be applied to a wide variety of jobs in many different careers.

For more about transferable skills, read: Transferable Skills.

7. Review Career and Job Trends:

Everyone makes his or her own job and career opportunities, so that even if your career is shrinking, if you have excellent skills and know how to market yourself, you should be able to find a new job. However, having information about career trends is vital to long-term career planning success.

A career path that is expanding today could easily shrink tomorrow -- or next year. It's important to see where job growth is expected, especially in the career fields that most interest you. Besides knowledge of these trends, the other advantage of conducting this research is the power it gives you to adjust and strengthen your position, your unique selling proposition. One of the keys to job and career success is having a unique set of accomplishments, skills, and education that make you better than all others in your career.

For more about researching careers, review our Career Research Checklist.

8. Set Career and Job Goals:

Develop a roadmap for your job and career success. Can you be successful in your career without setting goals? Of course. Can you be even more successful through goal-setting? Most research says yes.

A major component of career planning is setting short-term (in the coming year) and long-term (beyond a year) career and job goals. Once you initiate this process, another component of career planning becomes reviewing and adjusting those goals as your career plans progress or change - and developing new goals once you accomplish your previous goals.

9. Explore New Education/Training Opportunities:

It's somewhat of a cliche, but information really does lead to power and success. Never pass up chances to learn and grow more as a person and as a worker; part of career planning is going beyond passive acceptance of training opportunities to finding new ones that will help enhance or further your career.

Take the time to contemplate what types of educational experiences will help you achieve your career goals. Look within your company, your professional association, your local universities and community colleges, as well as online distance learning programs, to find potential career-enhancing opportunities -- and then find a way achieve them.

10. Research Further Career/Job Advancement Opportunities:

One of the really fun outcomes of career planning is picturing yourself in the future. Where will you be in a year? In five years? A key component to developing multiple scenarios of that future is researching career paths.

Of course, if you're in what you consider a dead-end job, this activity becomes even more essential to you, but all job-seekers should take the time to research various career paths -- and then develop scenarios for seeing one or more of these visions become reality. Look within your current employer and current career field, but again, as with all aspects of career planning, do not be afraid to look beyond to other possible careers.

Source : http://www.quintcareers.com/career_planning_tips.html

How Cleansing Conditioners Actually Work

Cleansing conditioners—or “co-washing”—are all the rage in hair care right now, but what does it even mean? The name makes it sound like you’re, well, showering with a friend, but it goes without saying that its actual meaning is much, much different (and a little less sexy). Lest you embarrass yourself with cluelessness as the craze gets even crazier, we’re here to demystify co-washing once and for all, and figure out how co-washing and those “cleansing conditioners” (oh, the oxymorons) actually work—and determine the difference between them.

What is co-washing?
“Co-washing” is the abbreviated term for “conditioner washing,” which is exactly what it sounds like—it’s a method of cleansing your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo. Co-washing has been around for a while, but designated cleansing conditioners are relatively new on the market, with tons of our favorite hair care brands following suit. This is good news, because it means everyone can get in on the trend, including super fine hair types. Originally intended for use by those with naturally curlyor textured hair, the co-washing community has since broadened to include many different hair types, though it’s still particularly favored by the curly-haired. Shampoo uses surfactants to create that squeaky-clean lather, and while conditioner also contains surfactants, it’s formulated with significantly less, and much milder formulations. Rather than wash out immediately as one would with most shampoos, cleansing conditioners and co-washing formulas are best left in the hair for a few minutes for optimum cleansing.

What are the benefits?
The purpose of co-washing is to preserve the natural oils of the hair while still gently cleansing, allowing for better hydration for all hair types and less color stripping for colored hair. The goal is to make hair healthier overall, with less of the stripping-replenishing cycle that washing then conditioning creates. Cleansing conditioners in particular are excellent for all hair types, as you don’t need to suffer through the process of bearing a few days or weeks of greasiness before the hair and scalp balances itself and regains a clean look. Because cleansing conditioners do actually clean the hair, albeit gently, they’re able to cut through environmental debris and product buildup while retaining the scalp’s natural oils.

Who should be doing it?
Dry, dehydrated, and damaged hair types find great success with co-washing, as do those with textured natural hair. While the original method of co-washing—which is to say, using conditioner only—wasn’t especially suitable for fine and oily hair, cleansing conditioners are universally beneficial. The gentle cleansing action of these products allow the scalp’s oil production to regain balance, resulting in a decrease in overproduction. Think of cleansing conditioners in the same way you think of oil cleansers and facial oils—they’re oil-regulating, not oil-causing. In fact, because fine, dry hair types are so susceptible to breakage and further damage, cleansing conditioners are actually kind of a godsend for taking the place of shampoo.

How do I start co-washing?Many people say that the trick to co-washing is to shampoo your hair every once in a while. Straight-up co-washing sans any shampoo whatsoever is beneficial mainly to the extremely dry-haired, while the rest of us can get away with shampooing once a week and sticking to co-washing the rest of the time. Cleansing conditioners, on the other hand, can be used each time you wash, and there’s no transitional greasy period while you’re waiting for your hair to adjust as there can be with co-washing.

With that said, the best way to get a head start on co-washing is with an inexpensive, lightweight drugstore conditioner: Co-washing requires a lot of product, so you’re not going to want to use the fancy stuff as your co-wash. Use a generous amount of something like VO5 Herbal Escapes Clarifying Conditioner, rubbing it into your scalp as you would shampoo, then rinse and repeat. If a gentle cleansing conditioner is more your scene, we’re loving the brand new A Beautiful Life Condish, a cult favorite find that uses all-natural ingredients like shea butter, peppermint, and lavender to make the magic happen while also smelling amazing.