Natural Treatments To Keep Hair Healthy and Soft

Many of us can remember our mother walking around the house with mayonnaise in her hair, slices of cucumbers on her eyes, or oatmeal on her face. Well, our mother was on to something, because when it comes down to it, nature and your kitchen pantry are all we really need to continue looking fabulous. Keeping our hair, skin, and nails fresh, healthy and radiant doesn’t mean we have to shell out big bucks at the salon, spa or at local makeup counter. In a time when we, as consumers, are more cost and eco-conscious, it helps to know that there are many natural fixes to give us all the pampering we crave.

In this week’s installment we’ll discuss how to add moisture and shine to hair. To restore dull, tired, frizzy and dry hair, try Mayonnaise. Mayonnaise is a moisturizer for your hair and scalp. A treatment of mayo in your tresses once a month will help restore softness and shine to your hair.

For this treatment, all you need is a plain old shower cap, two or three towels, depending on the length of your hair, and a jar of good old mayonnaise. Begin by putting the three towels in the dryer on high heat. Divide your dry hair into equal parts and work the mayo from the scalp to the ends using a wide-toothed comb. If you have oily hair, apply the mayo about 3 finger-lengths away from the scalp. Continue doing this until your hair is thoroughly coated. Place the shower cap on your head making sure all of your hair is underneath it. Take one of the towels from the dryer and wrap it around your head, covering the shower cap. Leave this towel on for 10 minutes and repeat the process with the second towel. If you have longer hair, use the third towel. At the end of the 20 or 30 minutes, thoroughly rinse the mayo out of your hair and then just wash it as normal. I recommend using cold water. The cold water seals the cuticle and helps your hair to lock the shine. If you have dry hair, you might want to try this treatment twice a month.

Another natural fix, to restore moisture and shine to your hair, is olive oil. For this you will need olive oil and a shower cap. This is an overnighter, so be sure to do it just before you go to bed. Divide your dry hair into equal parts and work the olive oil from the scalp to the ends using a wide-toothed comb. Again, if you have oily hair, avoid the scalp by applying the oil about 4 finger-lengths away from the scalp. Continue doing this until your hair is thoroughly coated. Place the shower cap on your head making sure all of the hair is underneath it, and sleep on it. The next morning rinse the oil out of your hair and wash your hair with cold water.

If you prefer not to sleep with the olive oil, you will need to heat the oil in the microwave, be sure it’s warm, not hot as it will burn your scalp. Follow the same process as the mayonnaise treatment with the hot towels. This works the same as the hot oil treatments you might get at your salon or beauty supply store.

Check back with us next week for another installment of natural beauty fixes straight from your pantry.