Do-It-Yourself

 Natural hair is expensive! Relaxers are too high-priced! I’m a student, how can I buy all these products just for my hair?’ fall into any category? I know I do lol. Every person on a healthy hair journey reaches a point where they just ask themselves, ‘Are these really worth it?’, especially when you’re faced with the choice of buying our recently overpriced plantain over that product that swears to grow your hair two inches in a month! It really can be a hard knock life for most of us right? Not to fret though, because today I present to you the ever famous saviour of all healthy hair travellers, the Do IT Yourself method, a few tips and tricks I’ve learnt along the way which I believe will be of help to you.

DIY is the use of both purely organic products, as well as store bought ones, to create a mixture that meet the specific needs of your hair at a particular time. Store bought products are great let’s keep in mind, but sometimes they are not totally able to ‘get’ your hair and provide the necessary oomph your hair desires at that particular moment. That’s why DIYs can include store bought products- your just upgrading them a little bit for your own hair!

In making a DIY treatment, research is key. It’s advisable to research into existing recipes, the ingredients used and their quantities, as well as their application. No one wants to have that ‘cooked egg’ and ‘banana bits’ experience ever! Read about application thoroughly before attempting to DIY. Start with the recipes and quantities given, tweaking it along the way, and you’ll be a pro in no time!

We’re now going to delve into a few DIY examples that cover almost every step in our regimens. Enjoy!

· CLEANSERS

-APPLE CIDER VINEGAR RINSE

Ingredients; 2 cups of water

                       Quarter cup of water

Application; mix the ingredients and pour over hair, whilst massaging the scalp.

ACV removes build up on our scalps, restores its PH and also promotes more blood circulation which equals growth! This rinse could be used as a final step after washing, conditioning and detangling.

· HERBAL RINSES

Ingredients;

Chamomile; Softens and conditions the hair, soothes the scalp, aids in growth.

Lavender/Peppermint; Aids in growth.

Nettle; Conditions the scalp, combats dandruff and scalp irritations, and takes care of dryness of the scalp.

Rosemary; Acts as a tonic and conditions hair; adds lustre and body to hair; combats dandruff and aids in growth.

Thyme; Combats oily scalps and dandruff.

Application; Place selected herb in a pitcher.

                       Pour boiling water and allow steep for 10-20 minutes

                       Strain and allow to cool.

                       Pour over head after your wash routine. Do not rinse

· DEEP CONDITIONER

-EXTRA DEEP CONDITIONER

Ingredients; 1 cup of your favourite conditioner

                       1 tbsp. of honey

                       1 tbsp. of olive/ coconut oil

Application; Mix all ingredients and apply in sections. Cover and allow to ‘marinate’ for about 30 minutes. Rinse off and style as usual.

-HONEY DEEP CONDITIONER

Ingredients; 2 tbsps. of honey

                       2 tbsps. of olive oil

Application; Mix and apply in sections, allow to ‘marinate’ for 30 minutes.

· LEAVE IN/HAIR MISTS

Ingredients; Water

                       Vegetable Glycerine

                       Olive Oil

                       Essential oil(s)

                       Rose water (optional)

Application; Combine ingredients, shake and apply to damp, wet hair.

-ALOE VERA LEAVE IN

Ingredients; Light conditioner

                       Water

                        Aloe Vera Juice

                        Coconut Oil

Application; Combine, shake and apply to hair.

· GELLS

-Flaxseed Gel

Ingredients; I cup of water

                       2tbsps of flax seeds

                       Coconut oil (optional)

Making; Place flax seeds in water and bring it to a boil. Cook then, for about 10 minutes. Strain and keep in the fridge. You tweak yours with an essential oil, Aloe Vera Juice, etc.

Hygiene is very critical when it comes to DIY. It’s essential to use clean hands and tools, as well as distilled and boiling water for your mixtures. When making the mixtures, ensure that you make enough for not more than a week. This helps keep the mix fresh and more potent.

Have you tried any DIYs? We’d love to know your recipes so kindly leave us a comment! Thanks for reading loves!

Kuukua (Shantays).