Hair Cream Recipe

Here's a quick and easy recipe for a soft silky hair lotion

Soft & Silky Hair Cream
1-1 1/2 cup Aloe Vera Gel or Juice
3 Tbsp Olive Oil
3 Tbsp Shea butter (can also use cocoa, illipe or kokoum butter instead)
1/2 Tbsp Coconut Oil (optional-can use avocado, sesame or whatever you desire)
2 Tbsp Castor Oil (provides shine)
1 Tbsp Honey (provides shine and moisture)
2 tsp Vitamin E Oil
2 tsp Jojoba Oil
2 Tbsp Emulsifying Wax, vegetable based
2 tsp Steraic Acid (this is a natural vegetable based wax)
5 drops Lavender Essential Oil
5 drops Sweet Orange Oil
5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil

Water Phase:
In a medium bowl combine aloe vera gel (or juice) and honey.

Oil Phase:
In a double boiler heat up olive, coconut, castor oils and add emulsifying wax and steraic acid over a medium heat. Stirl until wax and acid have completely dissolved. Remove from heat, add shea butter and stir until partially or completely melted. Let cool for about 10 minutes.

Combine water phase and oil phase. Then add in vitamin E, jojoba and essential oils. With a hand mixer or stick blender thoroughly mix for 15 minutes. Let mixture rest in fridge or freezer for about10 minutes then blend again for another 15 minutes, make sure to scrape down sides of the bowl. You'll notice that because there's more water in this mixture than oils that it's going to have a pudding like consistency. Pour into desired container and store in a dry, cool place.

Au Naturale "Waxing"

Sugaring is an ancient hair removal technique that hails from the Middle East.  This sugar based paste is just as effective as waxing but is much more friendlier to the body.  The natural ingredients for this recipe are simple and can be found in your kitchen.

 

Sugar Paste

2 cups Sugar (white, brown or demerara - DO NOT use powdered sugar)
1/4 cup Lemon juice
1/4 cup Water, distilled
1 tsp Vitamin E oil
1 tsp Jojoba oil
5 drops Tea Tree oil (optional)

In a medium sauce pan combine sugar, lemon juice and water. Over a medium high heat cook the ingredients for 5 to 8 minutes, constantly stirring so that it doesn't burn until it reaches 240 degrees fahrenheit. Once the mixture has reached the desired temperature turn down the heat to medium low and bring to a simmer. Remember to continue stirring the mixture. Once your paste has reached a thick viscosity remove from heat and add your oils, mixing thoroughly. Pour into desired container and store in a dry, cool place.

When applying this paste it doesn't need to be very warm, it can be applied when lukewarm.  It can be applied to the upper lip, arms, legs, brow, back, chest and bikini area. When peeling off this paste you can do so in the direction of the hair growth whereas with waxing it's peeled off against the hair growth, which can cause ingrown hairs.  Sugaring has been known to help elminate this common problem.  Also when the sugar paste is removed it takes the accumulated dead cells with it leaving your skin in tact with a natrual healthy glow.

 

Castor Shealoe

Here's a quick Castor Shealoe recipe that's great for twist outs, braid outs, bantu knots, locs or loose hair.









This is what not to do when mixing your ingredients. Adding the aloe vera gel right in with the shea butter.




Remember that since aloe vera gel is a water based product your oils and gel will not mix together without the aid of heat or an emulsifying wax, which is a binding agent. It's best to melt your oils (with the exception of the vitamin E) and emulsifying wax down first. Mix together and let cool for about 5-10 minutes before adding in the aloe vera gel.

Castor Shealoe

3 Tbsp Jamaican Black Castor oil or regular castor oil
4 oz Shea Butter
4 Tbsp Aloe Vera Gel
2 tsp Emulsifying wax (vegetable based) optional
2 tsp Vitamin E oil
10 drops Tea Tree oil (optional)
10 drops Lavender essential oil or Rosemary essential oil


Melt your butter and wax in a double boiler (glass bowl over on top of a pot of boiling water) or in the microwave in 30 second spurts for about a minute or so until the wax is completely melted.  Remove from heat and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Using a sick blender or hand mixer thoroughly mix in castor oil and aloe vera gel. Then add in vitamin E and essential oils. Transfer to a container with a lid. Mixture will thicken up and solidfy as it cools down.

Note: You can get creative and infuse your castor oil with herbs that aid in hair growth/stimulation (i.e. sage, rosemary or lavender). You can also substitute the shea butter for many other butters that are great for hair.

Herbal Conditioning Hair Spray Recipe

Here's a basic and easy recipe for a conditioning hair spray/spritz.  It can be used to refresh the hair or as a detangler.

1 c Water, distilled
1 Tbsp Lavender flowers
1 Tbsp Nettle
1/2 Tbsp Chamomile
1 tsp Sage, dried or fresh
1 tsp Peppermint
1/2 c Vegetable Glycerin
1 tsp Vitamin E Oil/Grapefruit Seed Extract/Tea Tree Oil (preservative)
8-10 drops Essential Oil of your choice (optional)

Infuse the water with the herbs by boiling them over a low heat for about 10-15 minutes.  Let cool for 10 minutes then strain infused water into a bowl.  Add in vegetable glycerin, vitamin E/grapefruit seed extract/tea tree oil and essential oil. Mix thoroughly then pour into spray bottle.

Protein Treatments

Loss of elasticity, serious damage and severe breakage are the three main reasons for protein treatments. Hair is made up of keratin, which is a type of protein.  When hair is colored, damaged by heat or a chemical is applied to it, protein is lost causing the hair to lose some of it's elasticity and strength. 

Much of the daily care and the little extras that you do to create a hairstyle chip away at your hair's cuticle, or outer layer. Protein treatments work to build the hair shaft back up, a monthly or bi-monthly treatment will keep it in shape.  You can use products that contain protein to improve your hair's elasticity and strength or create your own. Just remember to balance protein with moisture, because too much protein will eventually dry your hair out and cause shedding and/or breakage.


Basic Protein Treatment #1
1-2 c conditioner (adjust according to the thickness and length of your hair)
1 Egg
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive oil
8-10 drops Peppermint Oil 


Basic Protein Treatment #2
1 Avocado
1/2-1 c Plain Yogurt
2 Tbsp Castor oil
5-8 drops Lavender oil

Thoroughly mix ingredients together. Section hair into four parts and apply treatment to each section. Be sure to work the treatment from the root of the hair to the ends. Place a plastic cap/bag on and wrap a towel on top of it so that the body's heat can help penetrate the treatment into the hair shaft. Let sit for 30 minutes and rinse out with warm water.