Make Your Own (DIY) Organic/ Natural Hair Conditioner!

The best rule of thumb to remember when purchasing beauty or skin care products, whether at the store or online, is- if the product contains ingredients you would not feel safe eating, then don't buy it & don't put it on your body! Our skin (and hair) absorb an incredible amount of chemicals from the common beauty products we use every day- yuck! Why not choose Organic, and leave the worry behind? 

It's fun and easy to begin making your own Natural Beauty products at home! All you need are a few time-tested recipes- and we just happen to have some to share with you. (: I will do do my best to post them weekly for our readers - Let's start with a simple Hair Rinse / conditioning Recipe:

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS- CHOOSE All Organic:

Your Favorite Herbal Infusion (Strong tea)–  Here are some nice choices:

• Lavender is Lovely for dark-brown colored or black hair & a well-known treatment for scalp problems. 
• Hibiscus is Heavenly for brown hair, can produce red highlights.
• Chamomile is Calming for blonde or light hair, and can naturally highlight yellow or golden tones.
• Nettle is Nice for All hair types- known to soften, strengthen and increase shine.
• Rosemary Herbal Infusion– Rosemary is a wonderful natural ingredient to add to any home-made hair products!  It effectively treats common scalp problems, like dandruff and psoriasis, and it is known to stimulate the hair follicle to promote hair growth.

Apple Cider Vinegar– "ACV" is great at removing the buildup in your hair from products that contain waxes, parabens & chemicals.  It leaves hair very soft & shiny, as it closes the hair cuticle (the outer protective covering on the hair strand) which opens during shampooing. 

Essential Oils–  These are great to include for their healing benefits and lovely fragrances. Rosemary, Clary Sage, Lavender, Cedarwood, or Rose Geranium are some excellent ones, but feel free to use your own favorites.

 Prepare:

• Boil 2 cups of water & steep your preferred herbal tea (see above); add a sprig or small handful of fresh or dried, chopped rosemary. To make the infusion, steep all together for at least 30 minutes, or for several hours if possible.  The longer the steeping, the stronger the infusion will be.

Next, pour entire infusion through a strainer. Pour the 2 cup infusion into a glass bowl or jar and mix in:

• 1/2 Cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 Cup filtered water
• 5-10 drops of your preferred essential oil- if you Love the scent, go for 10 drops.
• Once all ingredients are combined, this mixture of hair "tonic" / conditioner can be funneled into a squirt or spray bottle. DONE -and for mere pennies, compared to the cost of regular store-bought conditioner that usually contains damaging chemicals! 
• Keep the bottle in your bathroom or shower to use after shampooing.  
• To use: Shampoo hair as usual (preferably with a Natural or home-made shampoo); while hair is still wet, spray on the Natural Hair Conditioner/ Infusion. It can then either be rinsed out, or left in as a "leave-in conditioner."  
• Dry and style hair as usual; even if you decide to not rinse before styling, the vinegar odor will dissipate once hair is dry.
• Now enjoy your silky, soft & shiny hair!