Your Hair Will Love These Herbal Recipes Pt. 3 (Color & Styling)

Merry Wednesday everyone! Today I am finishing the 3-part hair care series, with some great tips and henna and hair spray recipes.....Enjoy!

~Peace~

Coloring and Styling Recipes

Henna For Natural Hair Color~Unlike chemical hair colors, Henna coats your hair cuticles, gradually washing out while new hair grows in. Using Henna leaves no noticeable roots as the hair ends return to their original color as new growth comes in. When using Henna, expect the color to go through an adjustment period of two to three days. Hair might appear "brassy" at first, but don't worry; it won't stay that way. When choosing a Henna shade, remember that you can only make your hair darker. You can start with a lighter shade of dark, however. Do a test patch under your hair at the base of your neck to make sure you've chosen a color that you will be happy with.

• 1/2 cup pure henna powder, using your choice of color (you may need to use more powder if you have very long hair.
• 1/4 cup boiling water
• Plastic gloves

Place the henna powder in a glass or ceramic bowl and slowly add the boiling water, stirring until you have smooth, thick paste.

To Use: With gloves on, apply the henna to clan , dry hair. over your entire head and massage well into your hair, through to the end. cover with a shower cap or plastic wrap and let sit for 15 to 45 min. (the longer the henna is left in, the darker the resulting color.). Rinse thoroughly with warm water until the water rinse clear. Shampoo and style your hair as usual.

Makes 4 oz

Citrus Hair Spray~This easy to make hair spray can be used as either a setting lotion before styling or to hold hair in place after styling. This recipe works equally well with any citrus peel including: tangerine, grapefruit, orange or a combination.

• Zest from 1 lemon peel
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tbsp witch hazel

Place the lemon peel in a small bowl and pour the boiling water over it. Let it sit until it's completely cool. Remove the peel and stir in the witch haze; pour liquid into a clean container or spray bottle.

To Use: Spray on clean hair and style as usual, or spray hair after a style is done.

Makes 8oz

Henna Enhancers

When using henna o color or conditon your hair , you may also want to add natural ingredients to the paste to enhance its effect. Here are a few to try:

Egg~Adding a whole egg to your paste will help condition and giver your hair added shine.

Yogurt~A tablespoon or two o plain yogurt will give the henna paste added conditioning power---especially helpful for extra dry or damaged hair.

Spices~To enhance brown and rd shades, dd 1/4 tsp of ground spices like ginger, nutmeg, allspice or cinnamon.

Vinegar~For rich golden o copper highlights, add 3 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to the henna paste.

Tea~Like spices, teas can also enhance hair shades; Instead of mixing the dried henna powder with water, mix it with a 1/4 cup of strong tea.For brunettes try black tea; blondes look to green tea or chamomile.

10 Tips For Gorgeous, Healthy Hair

1. Keep your hair trimmed. You should schedule a trim or hair-cut every six to eight weeks.
2. Treat yourself to weekly deep-conditioning treatments or hair masks. Avocado, honey, and mayonnaise all make simple one-ingredient masks.
3. When in the ocean or pool, wear a cap and rinse your hair well after swimming.
4. Massage your scalp to boost circulation and promote hair growth.
5. Use a cleansing baking soda rinse monthly to rid your hair of hair-product buildup
6. Keep your brushes, combs and curlers clean. Wash with warm, soapy water,rinse well an then air dry.
7. Avoid the high heat setting on blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons.
8. Wear a hat to protect your hair from sun and wind when you're outdoors.
9. Change your ponytail position often to avoid breakage.



Your Hair Will Love These Herbal Secrets! Pt. 2

G'morning all!



Welcome to part two of recipes your hair will love; today is some great recipes for conditioners and masks.

There will also be a third post that will include recipes especially beneficial to colored and over styled hair...even a Citrus Hair Spray!

                                                      ~Peace~

Conditioners & Rinses

Honey Conditioning Hair Pack~This recipe will help condition hair cuticles, resulting in shiny, smooth locks.

• 1/2 cup honey or molasses
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Stir the honey or molasses  and oil together until well mixed.

To Use~ Apply the entire mixture to dry hair and massage it into both hair and scalp. Place a shower cap or plastic wrap over your hair and leave the treatment on 20 to 30 minutes. Wash and condition as usual.

Yields: 4 oz

Natural-Clay Hair Mask~Clay is great on oily hair due to it's ability to draw out surface impurities from your scalp to keep it clean and healthy and to promote new hair growth.

• 1/4 cup natural clay powder
• 2 tbsp water
• 182 tsp apple cider vinegar

Stir all ingredients together until smooth.

To Use: Massage the entire mixture into clan, damn hair. Wrap your hair in  a warm towel or plastic wrap and let sit for 10-45 minutes, then rinse well with warm water. You may need to rinse hair for several minutes remove all of the clay, depending on your hair length.

Yields: 2oz

Refreshing Mint Hair Rinse~This rinse is great when you need a quick pick me up for dull, limp locks, The vinegar removes buildup and residue to get your scalp.. Really clean, Min t will give your hair that tingly fresh feeling.

• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1-2 tbsp dried mint leaves(or use tea bags)
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Pour the boiling water over the dried mint leaves and let them steep until cool. Strain the liquid and stir in the vinegar, pour into a clean container.

To Use:Shampoo and conditon your hair a usual then apply the entire rinse mixture to your hair. Massage into scalp and work it through your hair do not rinse. Dry your hair as normal

Cleansing Hair Rinse~It's a good idea to use a cleaning hair rinse monthly to remove any surface build-up on your hair from styling gels, hair sprays, or before dying. If you have a favorite herbal vinegar, you can substitute it for the apple cider vinegar.

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar or herbal vinegar
• 2 cups water

Mix together and after shampooing, pour this rinse over your hair and massage it in. Rise again with the coolest water you can stand for at least one full minute; dry and style your hair as usual.

Next post will be part 3, Recipes that are especially beneficial for colored and styled hair....



Your Hair Will Love These Herbal Secrets!

G'morning everyone.

 In the next couple of days, I will be sharing some great herbal hair recipes, from basic shampoo to conditioners and rinses as well as a dry shampoo recipe. Enjoy!

~Peace~

Natural Hair-Care Recipes

Shampoos

Basic Shampoo~This is a great basic shampoo that works with all hair types without stripping away your hair's natural oils. If you have oily hair then omit the oil; those with dry or damages tresses should include it.

Remember, there won't be a lot of foaming action like you get with store bought shampoo's; those foams that make you feel like you are getting a good clean, are actually stripping out your natural oils, that's why you get that squeaky sound after you rinse. Not good for your hair!

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup liquid soap (such as castile)
• 1/2 tsp light vegetable oil (optional)

Gently stir all of the ingredients together, being careful not to beat the mixture, as this will cause it to foam up. Pour the shampoo into a clean plastic container.

To Use: Shampoo as you normally would, then rinse well with cool water.

Yields 8 oz

Herbal Shampoo~You can add herbs to your favorite shampoo to bring out your hair's natural highlights. Chamomile makes a mild shampoo that works well for fine, light colored hair (the flowers have a light bleaching effect) . If you have dark hair, use lavender or rosemary to enhance your natural color. Some women use a rinse of rosemary tea to darken hair and cover the gray overtime.

• 1/2 cup water
•  2 tbsp dried or 1/3 cup fresh chamomile, rosemary or lavender
• 1/2 cup basic shampoo (see recipe above)
• 2 tbsp vegetable glycerin

Heat the water until just boiling and pour over the herbs. Let cool completely. Strain the liquid and then stir in the shampoo and glycerin. Pour into a clean container and then let sit overnight to thicken.

To Use: Shampoo as normal and rinse well

Yields 8 oz

Aloe Vera Shampoo~Aloe, when used as a shampoo, moisturizes dry skin and hair. Leave the shampoo on your hair for a few extra minutes to allow the aloe and oil to soak in. You can find all-natural aloe gel (not the commercial green stuff) at most natural food stores. If you are lucky enough to have your own aloe vera plant, harvest the gel from inside the prickly leaves.

• 1/4 cup basic shampoo
• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
• 1 tsp vegetable glycerin
• 1/2 tsp avocado oil

Mix together all of the ingredients and pour into a clean container.

To Use: Shampoo as normal, then let the shampoo sit on your hair for a few extra minutes. Rinse well with cool water. This shampoo may separate between uses; gently shake to remix before using.

Yields 4 oz

Herbal Dry Shampoo~Using a dry shampoo can effectively remove grease and dirt from your hair without getting it wet. This is especially helpful for travelers, those who are ill and therefore bed-ridden, or those simply short on time. It's a bit messy, so make sure you stand on a towel or lean over a sink while using.

• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp orris root powder
• 1 tsp ground, dried lavender

mix together all ingredients and pour into a clean , resealable container.

To Use: Massage a small amount of the powder into your scalp and through your hair. Leave on for a few minutes; then using a clean dry hair brush, brush your hair using upward strokes to remove all of the powder.

Yields 4 oz

Come back tomorrow for conditioners and rinses, color and style and health care tips!