Healthy hair is important for looking your best. Dry and brittle, or flat and dull--no one wants those to be the description of their locks.
Particularly as we age, our hair needs to be babied. In the midst of a busy life as a wife, mom, and writer--I don't have the time or the money to spend on expensive hair care regimes. I like simple and effective means to keep my brunette tresses looking "effortlessly" their best.
Hence I want to share with you my SECRET recipe for great, naturally-cleaned, deep moisturized hair using, totally green, natural cleaning products, that get the job done beautifully and well within my budget.
Best Hair Care Treatment:
For Shampoo:
I wash my hair in African Black Soap imported from Togo. I get the soap ball wet and lather it in my hands, wash my hair, and then rinse with water. African Black Soap has such a gentle, natural, nutty aroma and it is a rich, natural moisturizer.
For the first rinse, I rinse my hair in a fresh Yucca solution, leave it on briefly, and then rinse off with water. This is a strengthening rinse and will make your hair have a natural, youthful sheen.
(This is a Native American Recipe from the Navajo Tribe)
Yucca Rinse Recipe:
Purchase fresh yucca root at the grocery store, usually very cheap, located near pineapples.
Cut off a 3 inch slice. Remove the brown skin coating.
Crush up the skinned yucca root to a grainy pulp.
Put into a small muslin/cotton drawstring bag or a clean knee-high and tie in a knot.
Add the yucca bag to 1 cup of water in a 2 cup container.
Swish around briefly and let sit 10-15 mins.
The yucca solution will turn cloudy and opaque.
Add 1 cup hot water to the yucca solution to give it some warmth, then rinse your hair with it.
Slowly dump the yucca solution on your head and work into your hair.
Leave on briefly, 2-3 mins., and rinse off with water.
Hang the yucca bag up to dry out thoroughly.
You can reuse the same yucca 3-4 times, if completely dried between uses so that it doesn't spoil.
For a second and final rinse, I use diluted white vinegar:
White Vinegar Cleansing/Conditioning Rinse:
Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 1 cup hot water.
Rinse your hair with it and work into hair with your fingers. Avoid getting it in your eyes.
This rinse will clean your hair from any pollution, toxins, and soapy residue from previous detergent-shampoos. The diluted vinegar also is a great softener for hair.
Leave on briefly 1-2 mins. then rinse with water.
If your hair tends to be dry, after towel drying your hair you can add straight olive oil to the ends of your hair and style as usual.
This hair care system has saved me tons of money and helps my hair look THE best that it ever has! Try it--It is a Natural Cleaning Star!!
Enjoy looking beautiful and let me know how it worked for you!
Green Keen a.k.a. Pam
Exposure to sun and other harmful chemicals may cause hair and skin damage. It is best to use a product that is 100% organic for it can penetrate to the follicle to balance, correct and restore your hair and skin's youth and vitality.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to recommend "Appreciation" Pre-Shampoo Treatment, it contains pure jojoba oil that comes from a bean grown in Mexico. You'll gonna love it :D
I tried yucca for the 2nd time recently. The first time, I smashed the yucca with a hammer after it was slimy in the water and after I realized I had missed that step. This last time, it didn't get slimy but did retain very few lather-like bubbles. I grated them before putting them in the water. My question is, is there suppose to be thick lather, or is it just the cloudy water? What should the hair feel like afterwards, also? Each time had a different feeling, the first being the best. And, lastly, will the yucca go bad or smell bad while it's drying in the knee-high between washes? Thanks for the posting. I'll look for African Black Soap when I get a chance to go shopping.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your questions. I always crush up the yucca before putting in the water (just easier).
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have seen people make lots of bubbles with yucca by agitating the water by hand (works best with cold water) as they add the water, but I don't bother with this for a hair rinse.
A common misconception about "soap" is that you need lather to clean with it; actually, it is optional. The yucca solution will just be cloudy, with bubbles, if you agitate it while adding water.
The feel of your hair should not be slimy after rinsing it first with yucca and then with water; it will be a very clean feel, almost as if you "need" a conditioner while your hair is wet, but after it dries it will be exceptionally soft!
Really, no need for a conditioner, except at the tips of your hair, if your hair tends to be dry.
Drying inbetween uses: hang in a sunny window until the yucca is completely dry--it will not smell, if completely dried. The Navajo lay it out on drying racks in the sun, (similar to a handwashable-drying rack for sweaters, you could do that too).
It will spoil if not dried properly; don't use if spoiled. : )
And about African Black Soap, I've only seen the authentic, imported kind online (see my posting for links) vs. in retail stores.
Take Care, Green Keen a.k.a. Pam :)
Correction from GreenKeen on the yucca drying: I said hang or dry in the sun, well, I checked with my "Navajo source" and yucca should be dried in a shady, breezy spot i.e. under a tree, on a porch, or inside an open window without direct sun--to protect the potency of the saponins (soap-like substances) in the yucca. (I am always learning!!)
ReplyDelete