With commercial hair products promising to instantly reverse our split ends, make our hair so shiny we can see ourselves in its reflection and give us longer hair overnight, it’s no wonder we buy so many of them. However, far from improving our hair, these products might actually be damaging it. Most of them contain toxic ingredients that might make your hair feel soft in the long run, but could cause major long-term damage. So how do you get beautiful shiny hair without toxic hair products? Natural products leave no toxic residue, they just give you healthy, happy hair. Here are eight of the most effective natural hair care tips.
1. Weekly Oil Treatment
Hot oil treatments have been used for centuries In Ayurveda and are one of the best ways to protect your hair from damage. You can use any oil you’d like, however, coconut oil is by far the most popular. Warm up some coconut oil until it’s hot, but not scalding and gently rub it all over your scalp and hair. Massage your scalp with this oil for a few minutes to increase circulation to your hair follicles. Apply the oil along the lengths of your hair, focusing on the ends which are usually the most damaged. Wrap a hot towel over your hair to help the oil soak in better. Remove the towel after a few minutes and cover with a shower cap. Leave it on overnight and wash off the next morning.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Is there anything apple cider vinegar can’t do? Shampoos and conditioners leave certain kinds of residue on your scalp which can weigh your hair down unless you periodically remove them. An apple cider hair rinse removes build-up from your hair, leaving it weightless and shiny. Mix two tablespoons of it along with 1 cup of warm water. Pour this over your hair after you shampoo and condition it. Apple cider vinegar clarifies your scalp and balances its pH levels so you get shinier hair.
3. Experiment With Essential Oils
When you’re exploring natural hair care remedies, it’s easy to become lost in the world of essential oils. Essential oils are completely safe and leave no toxic residue. They also come in a huge variety so there’s one for almost every hair concern that you might have. If you have dandruff, rosemary essential oil mixed with coconut oil can give you a healthier scalp. If your hair is weak and brittle, massage it with jojoba or argan oil, mixed with a few drops of lavender essential oil. You can use peppermint essential oil to stimulate hair growth and nourish your scalp.
4. Avocado Deep-Conditioning Mask
If you have dry, brittle hair, then you need healthy fats to moisturize it and fill out any gaps. Avocados are packed with healthy monounsaturated fats that can make your hair shiny. Every once a week, apply an avocado mask on your hair and leave it on for about 2 hours. To make this mask, all you need are three tablespoons of mashed, ripe avocado and some warm coconut oil. Mix everything together and apply it onto your hair. You can also use avocado oil if you don’t want to go through the trouble of mashing avocados.
5. Arrowroot Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a savior for those days when our hair is dirty but we just don’t have enough time to actually wash it. Commercial dry shampoos, however, leave toxic residue in your hair which could damage it. A far safer alternative is this arrowroot dry shampoo which absorbs excess grease and leaves your hair looking clean and bouncy. Sprinkle some arrowroot powder onto your scalp and brush it off with a large fluffy makeup brush. If you’re a brunette, you can mix arrowroot powder with some cocoa or cinnamon powder so the color blends easier. As a bonus, you will also smell great.
6. Castor Oil For Hair Growth
Castor oil has been worshiped everywhere by natural hair enthusiasts for its hair growth properties. If you’ve been trying to grow out your hair, but it stubbornly remains the same length, then deep-conditioning with castor oil could help. Castor oil nourishes the hair follicles and helps your hair grow faster and thicker. It is a very viscous oil, so make sure you mix it with a carrier oil like coconut oil so it spreads easier. Use it once every week to start seeing results.
7. Wash With Baking Soda
Everyday, our hair comes into contact with pollution and dirt. These environmental toxins can make your hair look dull and limp. To remove this build-up from your hair, all you need is some baking soda and warm water. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with warm water and pour this over your hair. This will gently clean your hair and rid your scalp of impurities.
8. Eat Healthy For Healthier Hair
You could spend all your time pampering your hair from the outside, but unless you’re eating a healthy diet, you might not see much of a difference. The two biggest components your hair needs to grow healthier are protein and iron. Make sure you’re eating enough lean protein like chicken, soy and eggs because they’re the building blocks of your hair. Iron is very important for strong hair, so don’t skimp on your greens! Another important nutrient for healthy hair is biotin. Biotin can be found in egg yolks, spirulina supplements or in special hair supplements.
