Let's Talk Hair - Part 4 - Products, DIY & Hair Care Techniques
In Let's Talk Hair-Part 4, I organized the hair care articles that I've written so far to make it easier to understand how to care for your hair in the most natural and simple way depending on your hair type. I've had readers and friends benefit from many of the tips on this blog. I've also had others say that they tried a hair recipe in the blog that just didn't work out as they wished. I'm hoping that this article will help you create the best regimen for your hair needs. Also know that you don’t have to be dependent on chemical hair care products to have beautiful hair.
Cleanse
I've chosen to go the no 'poo route with my hair care. In other words I’m no longer using shampoo to cleanse my hair. Recently I purchased the Terressentials Organic Pure Earth Hair Wash, a bentonite clay based hair cleanser. Many of my readers here have mentioned that I should try it in the past. Because I do make so many of my beauty products, it’s been lovely so far not having to prepare my entire hair care routine.
Many of the hair cleansing recipes that I've created and shared have been for those who are interested in the no 'poo hair regimen. With any very natural hair cleanser or no 'poo hair regimen you will most likely go through a transition period. My transition period lasted for about two months. My hair looked fine, although it just wasn't behaving exactly as I would have liked. It also took some time for me to figure out exactly what I needed to use.
Soapwort Root–A Natural Cleanser
The soapwort cleanser is a very gentle hair wash that you can also use for face and body. It does not suds up like regular shampoo, but it will cleanse very well. If you have a very oily scalp you may want to alternate with rhassoul or bentonite clay for extra oil absorption. This is a perfect cleanser for those with sensitive skin. I would consider this the baby shampoo of natural cleansers because it is that gentle.
Clay masks or heavily diluted clay for a shampoo are my absolute favorite no 'poo hair cleanser. Both rhassoul and bentonite clay will detox your hair of any chemical hair products you may have used in the past. For increased moisture, mix the clay with aloe vera for a diluted mix, or even coconut milk for a moisturizing detox mask. I believe that clay shampoo will help you transition to a no 'poo hair regimen the fastest.
Herbal hair rinses feel like a spa treatment. I'm learning so much about herbs for beauty and health. Herbs add potent healing and strengthening qualities to beauty products. You can try one herb for a hair rinse, or a combination of herbs for different results. Herbal hair rinses are naturally acidic and bring the hair to a balanced pH.
DIY Green Tea Cleansing Hair Rinse
This cleansing hair rinse was my very first creation for my no 'poo hair journey. The more that I made this hair rinse, the less apple cider vinegar I used and the more honey I added.
Deep Conditioning Treatments
Deep conditioning treatments are especially necessary if you hair isn’t retaining moisture or needs more protein for strength. Henna has been my consistent conditioning hair treatment since March 2010. I used it weekly January and February this year. Coconut milk is the simplest most inexpensive deep conditioning treatment in the bunch.
Henna
Body art quality henna is my favorite deep conditioning treatment hands down. I can’t rave enough about how henna has strengthened my hair, and provided a shine I didn't think that my curls could ever have. Since henna coats the hair cuticle, it’s perfect for strengthening all hair types, especially chemically treated hair.
Chemical hair treatments leave holes in the hair cuticle to change the hair structure or color. Synthetic hair proteins and silicones are needed to make the hair feel lustrous and healthy again. A natural way to fill in those damaged gaps is with henna.
Please consider if you color your hair, you can’t use henna then go back to chemical hair dyes. If you have light colored hair may want to try cassia instead if being a red head isn't the look you are going for. Before doing either do your research first. Because my hair is dark, having red highlights has been a beautiful bonus and hasn't drastically changed my hair color.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk proved to be the best base for my henna treatments. Since then I love using coconut milk as a base for many of my hair treatments. Coconut milk is a deep conditioning treatment that can be used straight out of the can. You don't have to add anything unless you want to. I love how inexpensive this hair treatment is. You will experience soft and shiny locks with this conditioner. Use can use coconut milk as a pre-cleansing treatment.
Wheat Germ Oil
Wheat germ oil is a fantastic ceramide oil. Ceramide oils bind to hair strands increasing moisture retention and improving the texture of hair. It does have a strong smell, but it’s still so good. Wheat germ oil mixed with any deep conditioning treatment is amazing!
Amla
Amla is known for increasing hair growth and also bringing life back to lifeless curls. Amla hair masks can be mixed up easily by adding water or of course coconut milk with powdered amla which can be found online or in Indian grocery stores. The dried herbs can be used for a tea rinse or to infuse into an oil.
Simple Rinse Out Conditioners
I don't have that many rinse out conditioner recipes. My main focus has been deep conditioning and leave-in conditioners. Along with the two listed, apple cider vinegar and water makes another great final rinsing conditioner. The best ratio is 1 part apple cider vinegar to around 5-7 parts water. Adjust it to suit your own hair needs.
Hibiscus Petals
Hibiscus petal powder can be added to henna to increase the dye release to a rich burgundy. In this case for a rinse out conditioner, making an herbal tea infusion is the best method.
There are so many herbal hair rinses that you can create and enjoy. The healing properties in herbs are more powerful than any synthetic ingredient because they provide long term benefits versus temporary fixes. Like I mentioned before herbal rinses feel luxurious.
Leave-In Conditioners & Stylers
Leave-in conditioners are so important. If your hair is properly nourished, styling products can be omitted or at least used less. A few super simple leave-ins are aloe vera juice, jojoba oil, camellia oil, and castor oil (on wet thick curly/coily hair).
DIY Leave-In Conditioner–Simple Green Beauty
Here is my all time favorite leave-in conditioner especially when my hair was shorter, and when I wear two strand twists. The scent is absolutely refreshing! Aloe vera juice is a wonderful moisturizer and pH balancer. This conditioner is a very light leave-in that can be even lighter by reducing the amount of vegetable glycerin added.
This curl conditioning serum is hydrating and gives dull curls a bit of a boost. A little goes a long way with this recipe.
Flax seed gel is so popular in the curly hair community. As one of my readers commented, this gel is so good but doesn't work for everybody. Nothing works for everybody and figuring out what works best for you is key. With flax seed gel you can mix it with other oils or aloe vera juice or use it alone. It is best stored in the fridge and lasts about a week most.
This hair recipe is more of a curl refreshing spray. It’s made in a much simpler way than in the previous article and can be mixed with essential oils to your preference.
Coconut Oil
For a while I believed that coconut oil was the best thing for my hair, then it wasn't working so well, and now I'm back loving it again. Some products are not synergistic together. Now that I'm no longer using store bought conditioners and coconut oil is able to penetrate my hair shaft easily, it has again proven to be very good for my hair.
My Hair Journey
I've learned so much about my hair over this past year. Because this isn’t only a hair blog, I don't always discuss every single discovery I've had with my hair. One thing that I believe that will improve your hair regimen is to embrace what you hair does naturally and not fight with it. Instead figure out how to shape your hair as you like without stressing it. That’s the main reason why I braid my hair wet to set my curls versus just wash my hair and go. It’s a gentle way to style my hair, then I just let it be wild if it wishes afterwards.
When I first started growing out my hair I was doing the most because I thought it was the only way to care for my hair. This year I've learned that less is more in so many areas of my life including hair care.
Ceramide Oils and Lush Fabulous Hair Care Tips
Here's an article where I share what has worked for me so far growing out my hair. I was asked again today what I’m doing to my hair and the products that I use. Most people are surprised how simple my hair care is and that I make so many of my own products. You really don't need much. Hair care techniques can be even more important than the products you use.
My Henna Regimen Simplified
Some of you were wondering how I was going to keep up my henna treatments no longer using shampoos or conditioners. Well the answers yes. Simply rinsing henna thoroughly then using one of my DIY deep conditioners does the trick.
Avoiding Tangles is again about hair techniques that have proven very effective in my hair care regimen.
Check out Part 1-Evaluating Your Hair, Part 2-Hair Tools & Accessories, and Part 3-Natural Ingredients if you haven't already.
Have a beautiful day!
Image by Dawn Michelle