Natural Hair Shampoos and Conditioners
After discussing a few hair essentials last week, this week I wish to tell you about natural hair care. Over and above the daily brushing, it is necessary to remove dirt and secretions of the sebaceous glands which accumulate on one’s scalp. The one basic that everyone needs to know when it comes to shampooing and conditioning one’s hair is: Always shampoo only the scalp, massage and cleanse and always condition only the hair tip, massage and rinse!
Another potent question is: How often should one shampoo? Women are advised to shampoo once in every 3 days if normal hair, once every 5 days if dry hair and once in 2 days if oily hair, as frequent washing of hair can in the long run damage one’s hair.
One can make their own shampoos at home; I suggest a few recipes…
Rum Shampoo: Combine two egg yolks with two large tablespoons of sesame oil or odorless linseed oil (painting oil) and two large tablespoons of rum. Apply it on your hair for about an hour and rinse of with warm water. This is especially good for dandruff and dry hair.
Egg Shampoo: This is one of the oldest and safest hair recipes. Eggs are full of protein and that’s great for your hair. Beat two eggs yolks in a glass of hot water with a small teaspoon of fenugreek seed paste. Strain and massage into you scalp. Leave in for about an hour. Rinse off with warm water. See your hair become healthy with just two applications.
Tonic Shampoo: Mix a 100gm each of reetha, shikakai and amla powder with a glass of water. Keep it mixed for 24 hours.After which you bring it to a boil and then cool and strain it. Put it in a bottle and use it like a regular shampoo for every wash.
Herb Shampoo: This shampoo is for all hair types and works wonders. Take a hand full of basil leaves, 5 to 6 almonds (soaked and peeled), 4 walnuts, a few dried olives about 4 to 5 and soak them overnight. Next morning boil them and strain. This shampoo will help keep your hair soft and shinny.
As we all know hair reflects one’s general health. Tension, overwork and illness affect one’s hair. Short hair is normally healthier than long as it is easy to maintain. Breaking hair or hair with split ends is usually badly treated. That’s the reason hair should be regularly conditioned. I have listed below a few home made conditioners that would help make your hair healthy…
All Hair Type Conditioner: Take 3 tablespoon castor oil, ½ table spoon coconut oil, 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon vinegar, 1 teaspoon glycerin and 1 teaspoon liquid soap and 1 egg. Make it into a liquid and apply it on your hair tips it brings back the luster of one’s hair.
Quick Hair Conditioner: Mix together 1 egg, 2 table spoon castor oil, 1 teaspoon vinegar and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Whisk them making it into a thick liquid. Massage it into the scalp. Wrap your head in a hot towel and steam the hair and then wash it off. This helps in making the hair thicker, shinny, soft and manageable.
Toning Conditioner: Beat up an egg and 2 tablespoons of brandy or rum, massage into the scalp. Leave for 10 minutes and rinse off.
Nourishing Conditioner: Specifically for dry or oily dry hair types. Beat up an egg with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. Massage it into your hair. Steam your hair and then shampoo. It will help your hair a great deal.
Unique Conditioner: Cut a medium sized onion into half a cup of rum. Leave it ferment for 24 hours. Now strain the onions and massage the liquid on your scalp. This is great for people who have scanty hair or suffer hair fall.
Avocado Conditioner: Mash one avocado which is recommended for its hydrating benefits and proteins and mix with one-tablespoon lemon juice, one teaspoon of sea salt, and one tablespoon of pure aloe until it becomes a paste. Comb through hair with your fingertips. Cover hair with a plastic shower cap or bag, and wrap a towel around it to seal in the treatment. Leave in for 20-30 minutes. Unwrap you newly conditioned hair. Rinse, shampoo and rinse again for soft, luxurious hair!
Of course there are other fruits like strawberries, figs, apples and banana that you can use for your hair treatment. But the step you do is the same like those that have been described above. You will have good looking hair by the time you check the Internet for more natural hair care products.
After learning about a few natural Shampoos and Conditioners, next week I bring to you a column on 10 Beauty Recipes. Log on next week AND don’t miss this one.
Tip of the day: There is an emergency recipe for hair glamour. Take an old stocking or thin pair of old socks, cover your brush bristles with it. Spray it with any good quality leave in conditioner and brush your hair vigorously, it will give your hair a bounce and a natural shine making it look great.
