Eggs, yogurt and honey are, at first glance, all components of a tasty breakfast
but they also happen to be hair treatment ingredients, and affordable, all-natural
ones at that. And they're not the only ones. Did you know, for instance,
that the oils in avocados more closely resemble our own skin's oils than any
product in the beauty aisle does? Or that the mild acidity in lemon is an effective
and gentler alternative to chemical-laden products? Next time your locks need a
lift, save money by using one of these kitchen fixes.
but they also happen to be hair treatment ingredients, and affordable, all-natural
ones at that. And they're not the only ones. Did you know, for instance,
that the oils in avocados more closely resemble our own skin's oils than any
product in the beauty aisle does? Or that the mild acidity in lemon is an effective
and gentler alternative to chemical-laden products? Next time your locks need a
lift, save money by using one of these kitchen fixes.
For All Hair Types
"The [raw] egg is really the best of all worlds,"
says Janice Cox, author of Natural Beauty at
Home. The yolk, rich in fats and proteins, is
naturally moisturizing, while the white, which
contains bacteria-eating enzymes, removes
unwanted oils, she explains.
says Janice Cox, author of Natural Beauty at
Home. The yolk, rich in fats and proteins, is
naturally moisturizing, while the white, which
contains bacteria-eating enzymes, removes
unwanted oils, she explains.
To Use: For normal hair, use the entire egg
to condition hair; use egg whites only to treat
oily hair; use egg yolks only to moisturize dry, brittle hair, Cox says. Use 1/2 cup
of whichever egg mixture is appropriate for you and apply to clean, damp hair.
If there isn't enough egg to coat scalp and hair, use more as needed. Leave on
for 20 minutes, rinse with cool water (to prevent egg from "cooking") and
shampoo hair. Whole egg and yolks-only treatments can be applied once a
month; whites-only treatment can be applied every two weeks.
to condition hair; use egg whites only to treat
oily hair; use egg yolks only to moisturize dry, brittle hair, Cox says. Use 1/2 cup
of whichever egg mixture is appropriate for you and apply to clean, damp hair.
If there isn't enough egg to coat scalp and hair, use more as needed. Leave on
for 20 minutes, rinse with cool water (to prevent egg from "cooking") and
shampoo hair. Whole egg and yolks-only treatments can be applied once a
month; whites-only treatment can be applied every two weeks.
Photo by fantasy manic
For Dull Hair
Styling products (as well as air pollution)
can leave a film that both saps moisture
and dulls shine—but dairy products like
sour cream and plain yogurt can help
reverse this damage. "Lactic acid gently strips
away dirt while the milk fat moisturizes,
" says Lisa Belkin, author of The Cosmetics Cookbook.
can leave a film that both saps moisture
and dulls shine—but dairy products like
sour cream and plain yogurt can help
reverse this damage. "Lactic acid gently strips
away dirt while the milk fat moisturizes,
" says Lisa Belkin, author of The Cosmetics Cookbook.
To Use: Massage 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt into damp hair and
let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, followed by cool water,
then shampoo hair as you normally would. Treatment can be applied
every other week.
let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, followed by cool water,
then shampoo hair as you normally would. Treatment can be applied
every other week.
Photo by fantasy manic
For Itchy Scalp
To fight flakes—brought on by poor diet,
stress and climate, among other factors
try a lemon juice and olive oil mixture in
your hair. "The acidity in lemon juice helps
rid your scalp of any loose, dry flakes of
skin, while the olive oil moisturizes the
[newly exposed] skin on your head,
" says Cox.
stress and climate, among other factors
try a lemon juice and olive oil mixture in
your hair. "The acidity in lemon juice helps
rid your scalp of any loose, dry flakes of
skin, while the olive oil moisturizes the
[newly exposed] skin on your head,
" says Cox.
To Use: Mix 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 Tbsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp water, and
massage into damp scalp. Let mixture sit for 20 minutes, then rinse and
shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every other week.
massage into damp scalp. Let mixture sit for 20 minutes, then rinse and
shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every other week.
Photo by fantasy manic
For Limp or Fine Hair
To add body to hair, reach for an unlikely
beauty beverage: beer! The fermented
drink contains generous supplies of
yeast, which works to plump tired
tresses, explains Cox.
beauty beverage: beer! The fermented
drink contains generous supplies of
yeast, which works to plump tired
tresses, explains Cox.
To Use: Mix 1/2 cup flat beer
(pour beer into a container and let it sit
out for a couple of hours to deplete
carbonation)with 1 tsp light oil (sunflower or canola) and a raw egg.
Apply to clean, damp hair, let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Or add flat beer only to a spray bottle and spritz onto dry hair.
"When the liquid evaporates, the remaining protein residue
(from the wheat, malt or hops) continues to strengthen and structure hair,
" says Belkin. Treatments can be applied every other week.
(pour beer into a container and let it sit
out for a couple of hours to deplete
carbonation)with 1 tsp light oil (sunflower or canola) and a raw egg.
Apply to clean, damp hair, let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Or add flat beer only to a spray bottle and spritz onto dry hair.
"When the liquid evaporates, the remaining protein residue
(from the wheat, malt or hops) continues to strengthen and structure hair,
" says Belkin. Treatments can be applied every other week.
Photo by fantasy manic
For Dry or Sun-Damaged Hair
Whatever your hair-dehydrating demon—hard water, sun overexposure,
your trusty flat iron—nature's sweetener can help. "Honey is a natural
humectant, which means it attracts and locks in moisture," says Cox.
your trusty flat iron—nature's sweetener can help. "Honey is a natural
humectant, which means it attracts and locks in moisture," says Cox.
To Use: Massage approximately 1/2 cup honey into clean, damp hair,
let sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. You can also add
1 to 2 Tbsp olive oil to loosen the honey for easier application.
For extremely sun-damaged hair, trying mixing honey with 1 to 2 Tbsp
of a protein-rich ingredient, like avocado or egg yolk, which will help
replenish the keratin protein bonds that UV rays attack. Treatment
can be applied once a month.
let sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. You can also add
1 to 2 Tbsp olive oil to loosen the honey for easier application.
For extremely sun-damaged hair, trying mixing honey with 1 to 2 Tbsp
of a protein-rich ingredient, like avocado or egg yolk, which will help
replenish the keratin protein bonds that UV rays attack. Treatment
can be applied once a month.
Photo by fantasy manic
For Oily or Greasy Hair
"Used properly, [cornmeal or cornstarch]
is an inexpensive way to remove oil and
grease," says Belkin.
is an inexpensive way to remove oil and
grease," says Belkin.
To Use: Pour 1 Tbsp cornmeal or cornstarch
into an empty salt or pepper shaker and
sprinkle onto dry hair and scalp until
you've used it all. After 10 minutes,
use a paddle hairbrush to completely
brush it out. Treatment can be applied every other day.
into an empty salt or pepper shaker and
sprinkle onto dry hair and scalp until
you've used it all. After 10 minutes,
use a paddle hairbrush to completely
brush it out. Treatment can be applied every other day.
Photo by fantasy manic
For Frizzy Hair
Home beauty experts swear by avocado
and not just to repair damaged hair.
Its oils (which are light and moist like
our own natural skin secretions) and
proteins boast the best combination of
nutrients for smoothing and weighing
down unruly hair, explains Cox.
and not just to repair damaged hair.
Its oils (which are light and moist like
our own natural skin secretions) and
proteins boast the best combination of
nutrients for smoothing and weighing
down unruly hair, explains Cox.
To Use: Mash up half an avocado and massage into clean, damp hair.
Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with water. Amp up moisturizing
power by combining mashed avocado with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a hydrating
ingredient, like sour cream, egg yolks or mayonnaise. Treatment can
be applied every two weeks.
Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with water. Amp up moisturizing
power by combining mashed avocado with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a hydrating
ingredient, like sour cream, egg yolks or mayonnaise. Treatment can
be applied every two weeks.
Photo by fantasy manic
For Residue-Ridden Hair
"Nothing eats through product buildup
like baking soda," Cox says. Sodium
bicarbonate essentially breaks down
anything acidic.
like baking soda," Cox says. Sodium
bicarbonate essentially breaks down
anything acidic.
To Use: Mix 1 to 2 Tbsp baking soda with
small amounts of water until a thick paste
forms. Massage into damp hair and let sit
for 15 minutes. Rinse with water, then
shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every two weeks.
small amounts of water until a thick paste
forms. Massage into damp hair and let sit
for 15 minutes. Rinse with water, then
shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every two weeks.
0 comments:
Post a Comment