Category: Hair

This $2 Treatment Will Give You Thick, Super Strong Hair

Published on by Lee6 Comments

While there are hundreds of hair care products that claim to boost growth, add shine, and improve the health of your hair “in just one wash,” very few products actually do (Olaplex is one that can)! Fortunately, we know a $2 DIY that really does help strengthen the hair. In fact, this DIY has hundreds of years of experience, science, AND a world record to back it up. Intrigued?

The DIY we’re referring to is a rice water hair rinse that has been used by women in China and Japan for centuries. There’s even a village in China, Huangluo, known as the land of Rapunzels because it holds the Guinness World Record as the ‘world’s longest hair village.’ And guess what they use? Rice water! The ritual of washing the hair with rice water has been passed down from generation to generation and the women in the Huangluo village have the shiniest, healthiest and longest hair thanks to their rice water shampoo.

rice water for hair
Source: Dmitry Chulov/ Shutterstock

The great thing is rice water is amazing for all hair types, from thin and fine hair to thick, curly, and afro-textures. We actually heard about it as we were admiring our friend’s super defined 3A/ 3B curls, who told us her trick was to spritz rice water in her hair after washing, which she claimed had amazing detangling and hair strengthening abilities – naturally, we had to look into it. Here’s the science behind why this natural DIY really works…

How Rice Water For Hair Works

Rice water is literally bursting with natural proteins, vitamins, and minerals that help restore and hydrate your hair. Firstly, it contains inositol, a carbohydrate that replenishes dry, damaged hair by strengthening and rebuilding the elasticity of the hair, which prevents it from becoming brittle and split ends from forming.

Even after the rice water is rinsed off, it’ll continue to seal in moisture, shielding your hair from damage. It’s also packed with proteins and amino acids that hydrate and restore the hair strand so that it’s less likely to frizz. Plus, it’s a rich source of vitamins including B, C, and E, which can help boost growth while adding shine.

Fermented Rice Water

If you ferment the rice (by leaving the rice water out for 24 to 48 hours), it’ll further enhance the nutrient levels as, during fermentation, a substance called pitera is produced, which is rich in minerals and amino acids. It’ll also alter the pH levels of the rice water so that it better matches the natural pH of your hair, which is slightly acidic. This will help close the hair cuticle, preventing moisture loss and protecting your hair. The only issue is fermented water can smell a little but you can add a drop of essential oil to the water to improve this – in Huangluo they add ginger slices and orange peel to the fermented rice water.

rice water DIY
Source: ThamKC/Shutterstock

How To Make A Rice Water Hair Rinse

There are two ways of making rice water; you can either boil rice in plenty of extra water and keep the excess water, or you leave the rice to soak in water and use the strained water. If you do this last method, you can leave it out to ferment, which makes the rice water more potent.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of organic brown or white rice
The rind of an orange or lemon (optional)

Take half a cup of rice, give it a rinse, then soak it in two cups of water. Leave it to soak for at least 30 mins, or even overnight (this will give more time for the water to absorb the nutrients and vitamins from the rice). Once the water is cloudy, squeeze the rice in the water a little, then strain the rice so you’re left with only the water. You can either store this water or let it ferment.

Fermenting rice water: To ferment the rice water, leave it out for a day or two at room temperature (the warmer the room, the quicker it ferments). This will make the formula more potent, so once the rice has fermented, add a cup of water to dilute it slightly, and add the rind of an orange or lemon, and store the mix in the fridge for up to one week.

How to Use Rice Water

You can either use this as a rinse for your hair after shampooing and conditioning, or you can put it into a spray bottle (preferably glass) and store it in the fridge for up to a week, and use it as a ‘leave-in conditioner.’ We find using it as a leave-in treatment post-washing (by spritzing into wet hair) works best for curly and coily hair, and really helps to detangle, define and boost curls. For straight and fine hair, use it as a rinse post-shampoo and conditioner. Let the rice water sit for 10 to 20 minutes depending on the thickness of your hair (the thicker your hair, the longer you can leave it), then rinse the hair. If you have curly or coily hair, you can use it as a rinse and a leave-in treatment.

If you do this regularly (every week), you will soon begin to see a big difference in the health and condition of your hair. For more DIY haircare solutions, check out how to make your own dry shampoo.

Let us know if you’ve ever tried rice water in your hair in the comments below.

BEST HAIR MASKS FOR CURLY, COILY AND KINKY HAIR

Published on by Lee3 Comments

Hair masks are an essential part of any beauty routine, especially if you have curly, coily or kinky hair. They’re a must for every wash day and keep your hair hydrated while also keeping split ends at bay. Moisture is the name of the hair mask game, and it can help with everything from frizz to manageability and lots of hair woes in between. We’ve rounded up the best masks for curly girls ahead, all of which you’ll want to add to cart. 

Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask

A must-have for curly girls, the Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask has monoi oil and hydrolyzed silk to help reverse any current damage and prevent future damage.

Mizani Moisture Fusion Intense Moisturizing Mask

If your hair is in serious need of moisture, try the Mizani Moisture Fusion Intense Moisturizing Mask — an intensely hydrating option that conditions hair without weighing it down. The key ingredients in this mask are cupaçu butter, argan oil and honey, which work together to leave hair manageable, healthy and conditioned.

Ouidad Curl Recovery Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask

Formulated with a blend of mafura butter and Kalahari melon seed oil, Ouidad Curl Recovery Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask coats the hair shaft with fatty acids that help to nourish and protect hair. It helps your curls to regain elasticity (read: shrinkage) and offers shine and touchable curls. Use twice a week for best results and watch your hair pop back to life.

Mizani True Textures Moroccan Clay Steam Curl Mask

This is an essential mask for anyone with particularly dry hair — thanks to its star ingredient: Moroccan clay. It hydrates, detangles and defines, leaving your hair ultra-clean and soft. The mask is also formulated with olive oil, marula oil and coconut oil, all of which help give hair a shiny, frizz-free look.

DevaCurl Melt Into Moisture Matcha Butter Conditioning Mask

Formulated with matcha butter, the DevaCurl Melt Into Moisture Matcha Butter Conditioning Mask deeply conditions, nourishes and makes curls super soft. If you don’t get it all out post-wash, don’t worry — it works well as a leave-in, too.

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DIY Tuesday: How To Fix Greasy Hair And Add Volume (In Seconds)

Published on by Lee6 Comments

Volume: it’s the key to a sexy, luscious mane. The only problem is we’re not all blessed with big, beautiful tresses! But that doesn’t mean you can’t fake it by using a little volumizing powder. So, when your second-day hair is looking limp and not-so-fresh, all you need is a little something to give it lift. We’ve formulated a DIY volumizing powder, and honestly, it’s the bomb.com. It’s actually like a dry shampoo-volumizing hybrid that’ll lift your hair, nourish your tresses, and detox your scalp. We admit it may be a little messy, but it totally works.

What makes this formula so damn special?

Ok, so like we said, this volumizing spray is more like volumizing dry shampoo, that’ll transform your locks and give them some serious oomph. It’s perfect for day-two hair that’s a little on the greasy side! As it’s a powder, it’ll instantly lift the hair and soak up any excess oil that’s weighing your hair down and making it look flat.

But don’t worry, it won’t dry out your hair as the 2-3 drops of tea tree oil will nourish and hydrate the hair follicle, getting rid of any dry and brittle ends without looking greasy. Plus, as tea tree is antimicrobial, it’ll cleanse the scalp, soothe any itchiness, and reduce dandruff. The next hero ingredient is bentonite clay, which is a healing clay that’ll draw out toxins and grease from the hair while boosting shine – it’s a great source of calcium. Finally, to color the powder to match your hair, find an eyeshadow and add it to the mixture.

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DIY Volumizing Dry Shamp00

Ingredients:
– 2 tablespoons of corn starch
– 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay
– 2-3 drops of tea tree oil
– Optional: An eyeshadow that matches your hair color.

Mix the ingredients together in a bowl. Then, pour the powder into a squeezable bottle using a funnel. Shake well before use, and then dispense it evenly onto your scalp. Massage the powder into your scalp.

Let us know if you try this DIY in the comments below

Winter Haircare Tips

Published on by Lee4 Comments


The winter season is upon us and we all know the cold can be bitter sweet. The winter months can attribute to dryness  can be hard on our hair. Black hair care techniques should change throughout the year, especially during the winter, thanks to the cooler temperatures and drier air.

Winter weather can wreak havoc on black hair if no extra care is taken, since excessive dryness leads to hair breakage and a dry scalp. The key to winterizing your hair care regimen is switching to a routine that causes very little stress on your hair throughout winter while preserving moisture. So how do you do this?

01. Wear A Hat:

Protect your hair from the harsh weather changes, by wearing a hat when outside. Wearing a hat covers your delicate strands from harsh winds which could lead to dryness. No one wants dry stiff hair.  I know many of us hate wearing hats, but what’s worse, not being fashion forward, of suffering from dry hair? I’ll say the last option.

Do not go outside with wet hair. Not only can you get sick, but this bad habit can also cause breakage. Depending on where you live and how cold it gets, your hair could even freeze.

Keep your hair wrapped and protected at night. Try wearing a satin bonnet or a scarf to prevent hair from drying while you sleep.

Wear protective styles (i.e. buns, braids, cornrows, etc). If you’re going to wear your hair in a bun, try to avoid pulling your hair, thus adding stress to your hairline. Wearing protective styles help preserve your hair throughout the winter.

Tame flyaways. Dry air can cause static, making even well-moisturized hair unruly. Carry a few unscented anti-static dryer sheets. Pass one over the top your head to immediately calm flyaways.

Wear a hat or a scarf. Wearing some sort of hat or scarf that’s loose enough to allow scalp circulation will protect your hair against cold winds.

Note that some materials, such as wool, tend to be more harmful to Black hair, but since you really shouldn’t venture out into the cold without head protection, try to wear a hat that has a satin lining – or create your own lining.

02. Deep Condition:

Deep Conditioning is one of the most crucial steps in having healthy hair in general. It doesn’t have to be the winter time, however winter is when hair is the driest especially if you live in a cold climate. If you don’t have enough time to leave your conditioner in sit in your hair for 30 minutes, consider using the one minute hair mask treatment from Garnier that I reviewed earlier this week.  I’d also recommend adding an oil, (I love olive oil) to your conditioner for an extra dose of moisture.

Shampoo your hair once a week. Remember that it’s not necessary to shampoo your hair every day, since washing Black hair too often can strip it of much needed natural oils, especially in during winter months, when the hair and scalp are already drier than usual.

Also, remember to use cooler water when wetting your your hair, and to be extra-gentle with wet locks. Try spraying your hair with a leave-in conditioner, using a wide-tooth comb, and blotting with a soft towel (as opposed to vigorously rubbing it, which can lead to even more breakage).

03. Don’t Be Afraid Of A Trim:

I hate getting my hair trimmed, however, it’s so necessary. Removing dead ends helps promote healthy hair growth. I have to tell myself a million times, it’s better to lose some hair to a trim than all hair to split ends; maybe that statement is a bit extreme, but nothing is worse than having long hair that is damaged from root to tip.

04. Minimize The Heat

The quickest way to cause breakage is by using excessive heat. Minimize the use of heating tools to prevent breakage.

Prepare Your Hair. If you decide to use a heating tool, use a hair product to protect your hair from heat. In addition, you can also use a leave-in conditioner accompanied by a heat protecting hair serum to replenish moisture.

Air Dry. Try letting your hair air dry instead of using a blow dryer.

Limit Combing. If you choose to comb your hair while it’s dry, try finger combing instead of using a comb. This will reduce breakage. If you do use a comb, be sure to use a wide tooth shower comb.

Use A Cooler Setting. When using a blow dryer, try using a cooler temperature setting. Your hair may take longer to dry, but it will minimize heat damage.

05. Add An Oil:

Oils are a the best hair care gift the earth could give us. I know I mentioned this above, however if you have dry ends (especially for the curly girls) you can coat the ends in a bit of oil to moisturize the hair without rinsing it out. What most don’t realize is, the ends are the oldest part of the hair and need more attention than the hair towards the scalp. Three great oils that are great for moisturizing the hair (from experience) are:

  1. Argan Oil
  2. Coconut Oil
  3. Olive Oil

To combat winter dryness, this is a crucial step. Moisturizing is extremely important during winter. Also, deep conditioners and hot oil treatments help restore and replenish moisture to your hair.

Use a moisturizer daily or leave-in conditioner. A leave in conditioner can do great things for dry and brittle hair.

Try to use leave-in conditioners with natural ingredients. Some ingredients such as sodium laurel sulfate, mineral oil, and petrolatum cause more dryness, so avoid using products with these ingredients.

Pamper your hair naturally at least once a week. Natural, intensive moisturizers like aloe, shea butter, jojoba or avocado oils can hydrate and revitalize the driest hair.

Deep condition. If your hair becomes persistently dry during the winter, use a deep conditioner or a hot oil treatment.

These products tend to be ultra moisturizing and great for black hair (you can even use a homemade deep conditioner with mayo or avocado). Hot oil treatments are great for replenishing moisture, as well. You can use a variety of different oils for great results, but the best oil to use is jojoba oil, because it is considered to be most like the natural hair oil, called sebum, which is produced from the sebaceous glands in the scalp. Ask your stylist for suggestions regarding the particular products you should use.

06. Eat Right & Consider Vitamins:

The strength of your hair is not only determined by what you put directly on it, but what you put into your body. Simply drink more water and add more fruits and vegetables and you are bound to see improvements in the overall appearance of your hair. If you want to amp it up a bit, consider biotin. Biotin, often known as the “beauty vitamin” can help grow strong hair, promote nail growth and help heal problematic skin.

Retain Moisture. The most important key to combating dryness during the winter is to protect your hair by retaining moisture. Add water to your diet and regimen by drinking at least 8 glasses of water and day and enjoying water-rich fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries and peaches.

Following these simple winter black hair care steps during winter will help prevent some of the winter damage and breakage.

What winter hair care tips do you have?

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