Introduction
The thing that I like best about my hair is the texture. Before being straight, it was very curly and I liked that it was naturally curly. I had to get a hair cut once in my life because my hair was so long and unruly.
I never liked straight hair until everyone else in my family had one. So then I thought, “I would love to have a “bob” like them!”.
My mother didn’t really have much of an opinion on it other than she figured if they wanted to do something they should do it and stop complaining about how their heads hurt from all the straightening.
But after my first year of college, I decided that going natural was not for me anymore. As much as I loved the fullness and shape of my curly locks, the amount of maintenance and care required just wasn’t worth it for me when compared with the benefits of having straight hair .
And you know what? It’s been almost 3 years since then since the last time I cut or relaxed any significant amount of hair on my head and haven’t looked back. Nowadays when people see on me, they don’t even notice that there are any curl patterns on me at all! My friends always say: “Wow you have really great curls! What kind of shampoo/conditioner do you use?”. And most importantly: “Your hair looks healthy too”. That’s probably one major reason why people tell me how good looking with straightened natural hair is!
Needless to say, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t still days when I wish for thicker/curlier/frizzier/longer natural hairstyles but those days are definitely few in between now!! 🙂
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a natural moisturizer that can help keep your hair soft and shiny, and it’s also an emollient that helps your hair retain moisture. It can be used to prevent breakage and protect against heat damage.
Neem
Neem is a natural pesticide, antiseptic and anti-fungal. It can also be used as an alternative to traditional medicine for treating viral infections like colds, the flu and rheumatic diseases.
Neem oil has been used for centuries in India to treat skin ailments such as eczema and psoriasis because of its antimicrobial properties.
Coconut Oil
- Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer.
- Coconut oil is a natural anti-inflammatory.
- Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial.
- Coconut oil is a natural antioxidant and emollient that can be used on the skin, hair and nails to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and stretch marks, as well as improve tone and texture while also providing moisture to dry or damaged areas such as cuticles or heels (which are often forgotten).
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is a great moisturizer for hair. It helps to restore shine and luster, strengthen your hair, and can be used in deep conditioning treatments. Cocoa butter also works wonders when it comes to reducing frizz and flyaways while providing extra moisture to your scalp.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and lignans, is a good source of fiber and protein. It can also help reduce hair loss and promote growth.
Flaxseed contains one of the highest levels of lignans among foods—the compounds that appear to have some effectiveness against cancer. Flaxseeds are also high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid found in plant oils like flaxseed oil or walnuts that may be helpful for lowering cholesterol levels while improving heart health as well as regulating insulin levels
Henna Powder
Henna is a natural dye that comes from the henna plant and is used to color hair. It’s also a natural conditioner, thickener, lightener and relaxer. Henna can be used to enhance your natural curls or straighten them out.
Amla
Amla is a great ingredient for hair because it contains vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps prevent damage to hair, which can lead to breakage and loss. It also strengthens your scalp so you don’t have to worry about bleeding or itching after coloring your hair.
Amla can help reduce hair loss by stimulating blood flow through the scalp and preventing oxidative stress on the scalp from free radicals in the environment (like UV rays). This encourages healthy growth of new cells as well as prevents inflammation from going out of control
Hibiscus Flower
Hibiscus Flower is a natural hair conditioner, natural hair colorant and a natural hair lightener. It can also be used as a natural bleach or dye.
Hibiscus Flower contains linalool and linalyl acetate which are both flavonoids that have been shown to be effective for treating dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis (a skin condition caused by excessive oil production).
Castor Oil
Castor oil is a vegetable oil made from the castor bean, a plant native to South America. It’s been used in many hair and skin care products for centuries because it’s thought to have great moisturizing properties.
Castor oil is also an excellent moisturizer for dry, brittle hair. The anti-inflammatory properties of castor can help reduce redness caused by dryness or irritation on your scalp—a common problem among people who color their hair often (which we’re all guilty of).
Look for products made with these ingredients for natural haircare
- Aloe Vera
- Amla (a tree-based fruit that grows in India and South Africa)
- Argan Oil
- Bamboo Charcoal
- Chamomile Flowers & Berries
Conclusion
So there you have it, the ingredients of a good natural hair care routine. We hope this article has given you some insight into what’s in your favorite shampoo and conditioner and how they can be used to improve your hair. If you haven’t tried any of these products yet, now is the time! You will be amazed at how much healthier your hair becomes when using natural products instead of those with harsh chemicals.
If we missed anything or if you would like more information on any ingredient mentioned above, please do not hesitate to reach out! We love talking about our favorite products and want everyone else to enjoy them as much as we do.
