Day (?) of this stay at home order; how's everyone holding up?
I'm doing the best I can. It's a day to day adjustment; nothing is certain and definitely stressful. Can I let you in on a little secret? I don't like to do my own hair. Yes! I know the maker of natural hair care products shouldn't feel this way...I love making products; just hate doing my own hair, lol! I know I'm in good company when I say I miss my stylist. She has me spoiled:)
Anyway, I'm back to a DIY hair routine. And healthy hair starts with a happy scalp. I start every wash with this DIY Vinegar Rinse; it detangles, cleans the scalp, adds bounce and shine!
DIY Vinegar Rinse
- 1 to 2 oz. apple cider vinegar (oily hair likes more acv, dry hair less)
- 5 to 10 drops of essential oil (rosemary, sage and mint are wonderful)
- 6 to 7 oz. water
Combine ingredients into a spray or squirt top bottle. Apply directly to scalp; and work into hair. Don't skimp on massaging the scalp! Rinse with cool water before or after shampoo.
I use our Healthy Hair Lathering Shampoo and Scalp Oil to finish off my routine. Now for the styling...I grew up using hair pomade (yikes). Folks of a certain age know about pomade! Over the years, I've come to appreciate the value of a "pomade-ish" product for scalp health, styling and hold.
Here's a basic DIY Hair Pomade + Balm recipe. This is where it gets fun; you can use any carrier oil and essential oil you have on hand. Get creative! I pulled out bits and pieces of leftover bottles to create this Hemp Seed Oil Pomade.
DIY Hair Pomade + Hair Balm
- 1 cup carrier oil (I used a blend of sweet almond, castor and hemp seed oil)
- 1/2 cup cocoa butter or shea butter
- 1/2 cup beeswax
- 2 oz. lanolin (optional)
- 1/8 tsp. Vitamin E
- Essential Oils (see list below for options)
- Glass Jar
Combine carrier oil, butter, beeswax and lanolin (if using) in a double boiler. Melt the oils and butters, stirring occasionally. Once everything is melted; add essential oils and vitamin E. Carefully pour into glass jar. Let pomade cool and set for a few hours. If the bottom of jar is cool; put the lid on and label.
Essential Oils for Hair + Scalp
- Rosemary
- Peppermint
- Sage
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Grapefruit
- Eucalyptus
- Ylang Ylang
- Rose Absolute
- Cedarwood
- Tea Tree
General caution for essential oils:They are meant to be diluted (i.e. carrier oil, vinegar, water, etc). If used undiluted, they can cause skin irritation.
I hope you can take moments for self-care during this difficult time.
Be Well.
Tammy