Banish the chemicals with these natural hair care recipes

 

When people are trying to decrease the number of chemicals in their beauty routine, hair care is often the last thing they turn their attention to.

They start making their own deodorants, moisturisers, scrubs and even makeup before they decide to start making their own hair care products, and that’s understandable. After all, hair is an extremely important part of anyone’s look, and, by extension, their personality.

What people often don’t realise is that homemade hair care products are super easy to make and beneficial for a whole host of reasons.

First off, if you’ve ever read the back of a commercial shampoo bottle, you’ll know just how many unpronounceable ingredients are crammed in there. Unfortunately, any of the chemicals found in hair care products actively do our hair and skin damage rather than good, and they’re then washed down into the waterways, doing damage to our precious river and marine environments.

Secondly, think about how many shampoo and conditioner bottles you’d get through in a typical year. Making your own means all that plastic waste is reduced and you can reuse old shampoo bottles and spray bottles, giving them a new lease of life.

A scent that’s so ‘you’

 

There are a couple of slightly less selfless reasons, too. Firstly, you’re in charge of exactly what goes into your shampoo, conditioner, or detangler, so you get to decide exactly which essential oils you use and can smell naturally divine.

And, last but not least, doing it yourself will almost definitely save you money. If you’ve been trying to buy more natural commercial products, you’ll know they don’t come cheap. Save yourself from splashing out on natural hair care by making it yourself. Some of the ingredients for shampoo alternatives can seem a little pricey initially, but they’ll go a long way, saving you money over time.

 

Homemade shampoo recipe

 

• ½ cup liquid castile soap
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup tinned coconut milk (use the rest for another recipe (curry, anyone?) or freeze in an ice cube tray for future use)
• 2 tbsp fractionated coconut oil
• 1 tbsp vitamin E oil
• 40-50 drops essential oils

Method:

Simply place all the ingredients in a container with a lid (old shampoo bottles work well), and shake to combine. Shake before using, and use just as you would any shampoo.

There are plenty of essential oil options for this natural hair shampoo, depending on your needs.

If you just want a delicious scent, try 20 drops lavender and 30 drops blood orange.

For fragile hair, try 10 drops each of lemon, lavender, tea tree and rosemary.

For hair loss, try 10 drops each of rosemary, peppermint, cedarwood and lavender.

 

Natural hair conditioner recipe

 

• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 drops essential oils – great options include lavender, peppermint, rosemary, geranium and clary sage.

Method:

In a mixing bowl, mix all the ingredients together using an electric whisk until they become thick and creamy. Apply to clean, dry hair and comb through.

Let sit for 15-20 minutes, perhaps with a face mask on and a homemade essential oil candle burning, then shampoo thoroughly to make sure your hair doesn’t feel greasy afterwards. Do this once a week or as often as you like to keep your locks luscious.

 

Hair detangler recipe

 

• 250 ml water
• 1 tsp aloe vera gel
• 2 drops glycerine
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops rosemary essential oil

Method:

Just mix all of these ingredients together in a spray bottle and use on wet hair. Simple as that!