it’s been way too long since i gave any informative or detailed posts on here, and for that i apologize. i thought i’d give some tips and tricks for each of our staples.
aloe vera gel. i find aloe vera gel to be a lot more helpful as a styling product than anything else, but a lot of people enjoy using it as a moisturizer, when mixed with other ingredients. i use it when twisting my hair, so as to get a more well-defined twist out. aloe is also great when slicking your hair back. wet a boar bristle brush and apply some aloe with a little bit of castor oil. brush, and style. your hair will be smooth, glossy, and healthy looking!
**OT: aloe vera gel also makes a GREAT daily moisturizer, especially if your skin is oily and acne prone.
dr. bronner’s castile soap. this all-natural, vegan, organic liquid soap is truly multipurpose. you can use it to clean your body, bathroom, dishes, and hair. as a shampoo, i highly recommend that you dilute it. (actually, it should be diluted for almost any use.) i use 1 part soap, 3 parts water. dr. bronner’s clarifies my hair really well, and leaves it healthy and refreshed. at the same time, it isn’t drying. it’s hard to explain, because it does definitely clean out my hair, but i’ve never had that “stripped” feeling after using dr. bronner’s.
best scents? i definitely love the peppermint (tingly!) and almond. you can also get lavendar, fragrance free, and others!
vegetable glycerin. this is definitely one of the best moisturizing ingredients out there. i prefer to squeeze a dime or nickel-sized amount on my palm, and some water, rub my hands together, and distribute throughout my hair. a little definitely goes a long way. veggie glycerin is also great when added to a light conditioner (like suave or trader joe’s essential conditioner). it’s a popular ingredient in spritzes as well; try half a bottle of water, 3-5 generous squeezes of vegetable glycerin, 4 drops of rosemary oil, and a little bit of olive oil.
oh! and i like adding vegetable glycerin to my henna mixtures as well.
olive oil. i think olive oil is a little trickier, because a lot of people don’t necessarily have good experiences with using it straight out of the bottle. try using olive oil as a hot oil treatment: microwave a small cup of olive oil until very warm (but not too hot!); apply generously throughout dry hair, including ends and scalp; cover hair with saran wrap or plastic bag; leave in for 20-30 minutes; shampoo out. you’ll notice that your hair is much softer.
you can also try applying a quarter sized amount of olive oil after you’ve washed your hair (as a leave in treatment). this is especially beneficial if you’ve clarified and need something to seal in moisture.
**OT: i’ve replaced regular lotion with extra virgin olive oil. i apply it on my wet skin immediately after i’ve showered, and pat dry with a towel. my skin is left soft, healthy, and vibrant! a little goes a long way.
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as for my own staples, i always recommend trader joe’s nourish spa conditioner to people looking for a moisturizing and detangling conditioner. it’s great for both co-washing and pooing. i use auromere’s tulsi-neem soap almost any time i shampoo, because it does such a great job controlling dandruff. it’s also a moisturizing soap, so it doesn’t dry out my hair at all. i recommend massaging the soap on your scalp and applying another shampoo (like dr. bronners or elucence) throughout your hair, since auromere tulsi-neem doesn’t necessarily cleanse the hair thoroughly.
henna, of course, has always been my love, and i definitely recommend it to anybody looking for a natural hair dye and/or great hair conditioning experience. qhemet biologics heavy cream is AMAZING. that’s all i have to say.
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do any of you have tips and tricks for the products listed above (or your own favorite staples) that i haven’t mentioned? leave a comment! teach us something.
