Digital perms: the current hottest hair trend

Have you always wanted that soft, natural-looking loose curls on you see on Hollywood actresses? Then digital perms are the treatment that you are looking for.

Digital perm before and after

Digital perms are just starting to make its name especially in the West. Also called the "hot perm," it was invented in Korea and is popular in southeast Asian countries. It gives more natural-looking waves on your hair. You have probably seen someone with beautiful soft curly tresses and wondered, "wow, her hair is so pretty, I wonder if it's natural?" Well, unless that person has been gifted with really beautiful hair, that is probably a digital perm.

Digital perm versus normal perm

Digital perm (left) versus normal perm (right)

• Digital perms are called a hot perm because the process requires perm solution and heat, whereas a normal perm, or a "cold perm" only requires perm solution.
• If you want looser and bouncier waves, digital perms are the way to go. Normal perms, meanwhile, brings out tighter curls.
• Digital perms are general a bit more expensive than normal perms. :p

Get that effortless feminine waves

A digital perm will give more volume to your hair and leave it softer and shinier. You can wear it simply with your hair down or in other hairstyles. My personal favorite style for a digital permed hair? A bun, with soft curls hanging loosely and elegantly!

If you are leaving in the US or in other western countries and your local salon does not offer this treatment, try looking for Japanese or Korean hair salons. 

Prim and proper hair style

A simple graphics showing how to do a prim and proper hair style.

Did you know?

... that you can determine whether your hair is healthy by taking a few strands of your hair and putting them in a glass of water? Healthy hair strands float, while damaged ones sink and need to soak up moisture.

This "hair float" trick is particularly useful when you are planning to go to a salon for a hair treatment that involves chemicals (such as hair rebond, relax, perm, etc.). If the hair strands sink, you'd better skip that treatment for a while.

You can also use this to try if a hair color product suits your hair, health-wise. Try the color first on a few strands and see if the hair still floats.

How to burn 600 calories with 4-5 minutes of exercise

Now I will talk about a revolutionary exercise that burns a lot of calories in just a manner of minutes and will leave you asking, "why didn't I know of that before?" This program is introduced by coach Jim Saret, the fitness instructor of The Biggest Loser in ABS-CBN, trainer of Philippine teams, and a known specialist in sports medicine.

(I learned about this from a friend of mine, whose mother, who is a doctor, happened to listened to one of the coach's talks.)

This work out consists of four steps and can be done in a matter or 4-5 minutes. The unbelievable thing is that it burns about 600 calories—extend this to 20 minutes and burn up to 2000 calories. Do you know how many calories an hour of running burn? Only about 100-200.

The reason why it is effective is because it is a metabolic work out. Imagine yourself riding a bicycle. You're pushing the pedal for the bike to run, but notice that even after you stop pushing the pedal, the bike continues to run for a while. That's how it works. It engages different muscle groups in the body, so even after the actual exercise, the metabolic effect is still active up to 24 hours.

HERE ARE THE STEPS

How to do lunges

• 10 basic jumping jacks
• 10 squats, arms raised
• 10 push ups
• 10 lunges for each leg
• Repeat these steps until the 4 or 5 minutes is up

As you can see, these are very basic. Coach Jim Saret said that you can do this exercise any time. You can visit Coach Jim Saret's website if you want to know more.

Why you should drink green tea

I found a great simple infographic on why you should drink green tea. Here it is:

It's simple and it summarizes the health benefits of green tea. See how a cup of drink can improve your body's health? :)

Rainbow and clouds nail art

How to improve the taste of green tea (tea bags)

We all know that green tea is healthy and all that, but there's one problem. You've probably tried drinking green tea from tea bags and found out it tastes bitter. Who would want a bitter drink everyday. Sort of like taking medicine, isn't it?

But listen: Green tea doesn't have to taste bitter. You can improve the taste of green tea by trying out these practices:

• Temperature is very important. Boil the water and let it cool to prevent the bitter aroma. Add the tea when the temperature is around 60 degree celcius. Too hot a water will bring out the bitterness of the tea. If you've been doing this for a long time, you'll get to learn to estimate when is it time to steep the tea bag in without the use of a thermometer.

• Use only one tea bag per cup of water.

• Try adding sugar or, if you're feeling a bit sosyal, honey. You can also add milk (adding milk is optional; some people think that milk only enhances the bitter taste or green tea, while others think it helps the taste) or lemons.

• Chlorine in water alters the taste of the tea, so you might want to use pure spring water only. 

• Steep the tea bag for about 2 1/2 minutes, which is just enough time to give your tea a balanced flavor.

•  Last, look for quality tea bags! There are lots of tea bag products out there, and like other products, there are good-quality brands and just cheap ones. Good-quality tea bags have a better taste.

As you can see, preparing green tea is an art itself, much more when you preferred it brewed and using tea leaves.

Finally, I have to tell you that drinking green tea is really an acquired taste. My sister, for instance, simply doesn't like green tea no matter how it is finely made. Honestly, I wasn't too keen on it too, but later on I got familiar with the taste, and now, I heavily preferred it than coffee (yes, even mocha-flavored ones).

So I suggest you try it as well, and do not forget the steps I mentioned above. ;)