Have you noticed that most of the hair products on drugstore shelves claim to be natural? Check out the ingredients. You’ll see, for instance, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate. Really, what is this stuff? And what does it do? Adding insult to injury, these unexplained ingredients can be pretty pricey.
Make your own hair care products that you know for sure are natural, save a bunch of money and get amazing results.
Table of Contents
Apple Cider Vinegar
- Dry Shampoo
You’re thinking, “Ew!,” aren’t you? Because who would want to go around with hair smelling like apple cider vinegar. Fear not, that won’t happen, because you’re going to greatly dilute the vinegar.
To freshen your hair, mix up five drops of the vinegar and five ounces of water in a spray bottle. Spritz your hair at the roots. The apple cider vinegar removes oil, and you can turn a bad hair day into a great one that fast.
- Rinse
Before showering, mix ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar to 2 cups of water in a plastic bottle. (Add a drop or two of lavender oil, if you like.) After shampooing and rinsing your hair, tilt your head back and pour the rinse over your entire scalp, working it through with your fingers. (Do not let it get into your eyes!) Let the mixture sit for a couple minutes, then rinse and towel dry.
A conventional conditioner is not needed. The diluted vinegar naturally conditions your hair, removes product build-up, detangles and leaves the hair with a nice soft sheen.
Marshmallow Root
No, don’t go trying to rub that puffy white candy into your hair! We’re talking about marshmallow plants. The roots contain mucilage (a gel-like substance) that moisturizes and conditions limp, dull hair or brittle, dry hair. It leaves your hair with a natural shine and soothes a dry or itchy scalp.
Add 1 cup of hot water to 4 teaspoons of shredded marshmallow root. Let sit about 10 minutes. (It’s like making tea.) Strain out the marshmallow and use the “tea” as a rinse after shampooing your hair.
Rosemary
Rosemary is one of the best herbs for keeping your hair healthy. It not only adds shine, “bounce,” and silkiness, it’s a great remedy for dandruff and an itchy or irritated scalp.
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, then add 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves (or 1 tablespoon dried leaves). Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it cool. The dark brown water may have an oily film on the surface. Not a problem, it’s the rosemary oil. Strain out the rosemary. You can then add another essential oil for more “oomph”:
2 teaspoons fresh lavender or 1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers (to balance scalp oils) or
1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves or ½ tablespoon dried leaves (to promote a healthy scalp) or
1 teaspoon almond oil (for dry hair)
Use a squeeze or applicator bottle to apply to your hair as a final rinse. Massage into your scalp and through your hair and let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, or you can leave it on until the next shampoo. If you have mixture left over, it will keep for two weeks in the refrigerator. You can add hot water to warm it.
Honey
Honey has nutrients and antioxidants to moisturize and condition your hair and prevent breakage. Because it also contains antibacterial and antiseptic properties, it aids in preventing and treating scalp infections. Use raw honey to get the best results: honey that is pure, unheated, unpasteurized and unprocessed.
Mix ¼ cup of honey with ¼ cup of olive oil and heat in a microwave oven. Let it cool, then apply evenly all through your hair and cover with a plastic cap for 20-30 minutes. If you have a hooded dryer, even better. Rinse out the mask with cool/lukewarm water and shampoo.
Avocado
Avocado is filled with protein and vitamins and is an excellent deep conditioner. Use an avocado mask every week or two for healthy, soft hair.
Mash one ripe avocado and stir in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil until the mixture is creamy. Apply the mask liberally on your hair, avoiding the roots. Leave on for at least 30 minute, rinse it off and shampoo your hair.
Conclusion
These DIY hair care products and treatments are budget friendly and easy to use/complete whenever is convenient for you. Some of them might be completely new to you, but some you might have used yourself.
