Now is a good time to give your hair some extra loving care – after the sun and pool chemicals of summer, and before the onslaught of indoor dry heat, and the wind and cold of winter outdoors.
Also, sometimes your hair just stops responding to commercial products, no matter what you do. Chemical-based shampoos, conditioners, and styling product can wear out your hair as can sun, wind, and air pollution. Giving your hair a boost using natural ingredients may be just what you need. Here’s how:
Don’t Use a Hair Dryer
This is an important first step in bringing back life to your hair. Let your hair dry naturally instead.
Ditch the Shampoo
Yes, that’s right – stop using shampoo. The harsh cleansers in commercial shampoos are really hard on hair. Give your hair and break and wash with some of the alternatives listed below.
Conditioner
Look for conditioners that do not contain any ” ‘cones,” such as dimethicone, and that have as few ingredients as possible. Then use the conditioner to wash your hair instead of shampoo. Use a dime- or nickel-size portion and work it well into your hair and scalp, rinsing as usual. This is really helpful for people with curly hair.
Baking Soda
It’s true – baking soda really can be used to clean just about anything, including hair! Use a tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of water, pour it over your hair, massage it in as you would shampoo, and rinse.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Follow your baking soda wash with a vinegar rinse. Use apple cider vinegar for best results. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to every cup of rinse water. Pour this over your head (close your eyes an tilt your head back!), work it in, then rinse with clear water.
Rosemary Rinse
Rosemary is good for the scalp. Make a tea by steeping 1 tablespoon of rosemary’s needle-like leaves per pint of boiling water. Cool this to lukewarm and use it as a rinse.
Mayonnaise
Using a comb, work a tablespoon or two of mayonnaise into your hair. Put a plastic shower cap over your hair, then wrap it in a towel. Leave for as long as you like – the longer the better. Then wash out the mayo with a natural shampoo or one of the alternatives discussed above.
Egg
In a bowl, beat an egg. Add half a cup of plain yogurt or milk and work it into your hair. Like the mayonnaise, leave it on as long as possible for deep conditioning.
