Last post mentioned tips on how to properly wash and care for your hair. I mentioned these tips because learning to properly wash and care for your hair will significantly reduce the amount of residue on your hair and scalp, leading you to spend less money on "fix it" smoothing, anti frizzing, hair wrangling products.
Well your hair isn't going to magically fix itself over night or after one night of careful washing. I know we are all busy women and we don't always have the time to make that commitment to our shower. Due to time constraints it's a miracle we have time for a shower, period!
So here is step 2 of natural hair care - removing the buildup.
Step 2:
Removal of buildup is an absolute necessity for proper hair maintenance.
Buildup causes your hair to look dull, lifeless and dry. Dry, dull hair tends to look and feel more brittle and break off at the shaft more than healthy hair. What's more, hair with product buildup tends look frazzled, stressed out and messy, which in turn makes you look frazzled, stressed out and messy.
Healthy hair looks shiny and smooth because it is properly taken care of and because it has a healthy scalp.
How do you usually feel after a shower? Clean, fresh, rejuvenated. How would you feel if you didn't get to take a good shower? And how would you feel if you hadn't taken a good shower in years? That's how your hair and scalp feel!
So what a girl needs to do is first follow step one. But that's not always fool proof because there's not always time to carry it out.
The next best thing you can do whether or not you have or haven't followed proper lathering and rinsing techniques is to remove buildup.
How?
Try an apple cider vinegar rinse.
Mix 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar into 1 qt of distilled water and put it in a spray bottle. Take it into the shower with you and after you shampoo simply spray it on at the scalp and down the length of your hair, wait a few minutes (lather your self up with soap, wash your face, etc...) and then rinse out, preferably with cold water. Conditioning is optional, just be sure to rinse well if you do.
Mix 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar into 1 qt of distilled water and put it in a spray bottle. Take it into the shower with you and after you shampoo simply spray it on at the scalp and down the length of your hair, wait a few minutes (lather your self up with soap, wash your face, etc...) and then rinse out, preferably with cold water. Conditioning is optional, just be sure to rinse well if you do.
If you are worried about the vinegary smell, it'll go away as soon as the vinegar dries.
Caution: since vinegar contains acetic acid, it can dry your hair if used too frequently so once every 10 days should do the trick.
Caution: since vinegar contains acetic acid, it can dry your hair if used too frequently so once every 10 days should do the trick.
Alternatively you can try a scalp cleansing product.
If what you are looking for is a deep conditioning, look no further than your kitchen! All it takes is one ripe avocado, some olive oil, a little bit of water and a blender or food processor.
Take a ripe avocado, peeled and cut into chunks and put it in your blender or food processor. (If you're a foodie and don't want to use up a whole luscious avocado then use half an avocado and half a banana.)
Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the avocado, the exact amount depending on your hair type and length. Shorter hair will need less while, longer thicker hair will need more but not over two tablespoons.
Pulse the blender and food processor at the same time that you pour about 1/4 cup of water. Then let it whirr away until it gets to the consistency of a smoothie, nice and thick.
Then take the concoction into the bathroom and in the tub or shower. Drape a towel over your shoulders and smooth the green goodness over the length of your locks, concentrating mostly on the ends.
When you are done, wrap the towel around your head and leave the mix in your hair for at least an hour or you could leave it on longer.
If you want to get a really deep condition, blast the towel with hot air from a blow dryer. Remember that heat makes the hair cuticle open up so the moisture penetrates the shaft better.
When an hour (or your desired time) has passed, get in the shower and rinse out the green stuff. Then shampoo really well, the way we talked about it Step 1. If your hair still feels thick and greasy you can repeat the shampoo, but I recommend just shampooing once really well, making sure the lather really coats each strand.
Rinse shampoo out well, finish your shower and let your hair air dry because it will be so smooth and tame that you won't believe you didn't need frizz serum!
Or style as usual if you like, but I think it'd be a waste with hair this naturally (and air dried!) silky.
Whatever you choose, rest assured your healthier scalp and hair will thank and repay you with luxurious locks.
Stay tuned for step 3, coming tomorrow!
If what you are looking for is a deep conditioning, look no further than your kitchen! All it takes is one ripe avocado, some olive oil, a little bit of water and a blender or food processor.
Take a ripe avocado, peeled and cut into chunks and put it in your blender or food processor. (If you're a foodie and don't want to use up a whole luscious avocado then use half an avocado and half a banana.)
Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the avocado, the exact amount depending on your hair type and length. Shorter hair will need less while, longer thicker hair will need more but not over two tablespoons.
Pulse the blender and food processor at the same time that you pour about 1/4 cup of water. Then let it whirr away until it gets to the consistency of a smoothie, nice and thick.
Then take the concoction into the bathroom and in the tub or shower. Drape a towel over your shoulders and smooth the green goodness over the length of your locks, concentrating mostly on the ends.
When you are done, wrap the towel around your head and leave the mix in your hair for at least an hour or you could leave it on longer.
If you want to get a really deep condition, blast the towel with hot air from a blow dryer. Remember that heat makes the hair cuticle open up so the moisture penetrates the shaft better.
When an hour (or your desired time) has passed, get in the shower and rinse out the green stuff. Then shampoo really well, the way we talked about it Step 1. If your hair still feels thick and greasy you can repeat the shampoo, but I recommend just shampooing once really well, making sure the lather really coats each strand.
Rinse shampoo out well, finish your shower and let your hair air dry because it will be so smooth and tame that you won't believe you didn't need frizz serum!
Or style as usual if you like, but I think it'd be a waste with hair this naturally (and air dried!) silky.
Whatever you choose, rest assured your healthier scalp and hair will thank and repay you with luxurious locks.
Stay tuned for step 3, coming tomorrow!
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