The real HG of hair repairing home remedies

It has been a really long while since I have written anything here. Mostly because I have been busy but also I have been trying out so many things with my hair.

I have found that a lot of the products that used to work wonders for me, don't work the same now. It really is a game of luck. The one thing that has never failed to repair my tresses is - henna!

You can mix it in a variety of ways to achieve a variety of results. It gives your hair volume, shine, smoothness, moisture (if mixed properly), and most important of all - repairs damage. I call it my all-in-one miracle remedy. I have been using it for over 2 years now and it has yet to fail me.

I have classified myself a hair damage-addict. When my hair starts becoming healthy - I start itching to colour it or rebond it. And then it gets damaged again and I repair it again. It's an ongoing cycle with me. You can't blame me though - a girls' gotta do what a girls' gotta do to make her hair look good.

Coming back to henna, there is this stigma around the use of henna because people assume you're gonna turn into a carrot-head if you use henna. This is true if you have light or blond hair. People with this kinda hair should use cassia obovata - it is in the same family as henna but has no colouring effect. But, if you're dark haired - the most you would get is a red tint to your hair which can only be seen in the sun.

I love the redness of henna and I am dark haired, so I am not too bothered with the colouring effect. Henna has effectively thinkened my strands and filled in the areas of my hair that used to fray. It also super softened my hair - especially my ends which used to feel like sticks due to the dryness.

I have a few ways that I mix my henna depending on what I want. I only use 100% PURE henna powder - no chemicals, additives or artificial components. These are the few recipes I have reused time and time again and still work:

When I am aiming for a burgundy shade colour with the treatment:

1. Blender some beetroot with little to no water. Strain and set aside.
2. Mix 1.5-2 tablespoons of henna powder with lemon juice into a dry doughy state and add the beetroot juice until it is a thick paste consistency. I sometimes heat the lemon juice  just a little bit because the heat activates the henna faster.
3. Leave mixture aside for at least 2 hours or overnight. At regular intervals, when you go to it and you see it drying up - just add hot water to keep the dye-release process ongoing.
4. Just before applying it on your hair - mix it with 3 tablespoons of the most moisturising conditioner you have. Low protein conditioners are good too as long as it is very moisturising for your hair. I usually use the Loreal Hair Spa Creambath mask.
5. Add 1 tablespoon of your favourite hair oil, or a mixture of your favourite hair oils - mine is a mixture of castor oil, coconut oil and almond oil.
6. Mix it all up and apply generously through the lengths of your hair.

If you have longer hair, I would suggest adding conditioner and/or oil to increase the volume of the treatment instead of adding henna. The effect is usually just the same.

When I want to deeply repair (deep protein treatment):

1. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of henna powder with apple cider vinegar until a thick paste and set aside for about 30 - 40 minutes, at least.
2. Add 3 table spoons moisturising/light protein but still very moisturising conditioner and/or mayonnaise (the richer and creamier, the better).
3. Add in your favourite hair oil or mixture of hair oils - I stick to olive oil and coconut oil for repairing treatments.
4. Mix a packet of gelatin with 3 - 4 tablespoons of boiling hot water until it dissolves and has no more clumps. Add this to the mixture.
5. Apply it to your hair.

Smoothing & moisturising treatment:

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of henna, apple cider vinegar, your favourite oils/mixture of oils (for this one, I recommend olive oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil) and mayonnaise.
2. Add 2-3 tablespoons of your most moisturising conditioner.
3. Apply it to your hair.

As you can see, the concepts are pretty similar you mix henna with an acidic substance that has a bit of heat - this releases the lawsonia particles that is the magic behind all its wonders. That is what colours and also saves your hair. The trick is to leave it to develop longer if you want more colour and to use it as soon as, if you want to avoid the colour as much as possible.

The equation is:
Henna + Acidic component + Conditioner + oil/oils = Rejuvenation of your hair

Once it is on your hair - leave it on for at least 2 - 8 hours. I would only leave it on longer than 2 hours if I want the colour.

I have a steamer at home, so I steam it for about 30 mins and then leave it on. If you do not have a steamer, get one! (Lol...jk) If you do not have a steamer - do a hot towel thing. Or, alternatively, put on a shower cap/plastic bag and use your hairdryer to heat it up. Don't let it dry up though - keep it damp and moist at least for the first 2 hours.

You will see the miraculous wonders of henna too! If you find your hair a little dry after the treatment - I suggest reducing the henna and/or increasing the conditioner and oils. It's all about striking the right balance.

Or, you can follow up with a DC treatment - for which you can refer to my previous post on that.

Let me know how wonderful your hair feels after. :)

Deep Conditioning (DC): The tricks of the trade..

DC is a quintessential part of any hair regime. Whether your hair is dry, damage, frizzy, grizzly or normal - a good DC is important in you haircare regime. There are many products and methods for a good DC, and I will explore some of my favourites with you.

1. Hot oil treatment

These are the best and most effective in terms of DC for the hair, not to mention easiest. It doesn't just condition your hair effectively, it prevents split ends and lessens breakage. It also adds shine and helps aid those with dry, flaky scalp condition.

The best oils to use are the basics: coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, aloe vera oil, castor oil, sesame oil, hibiscus oil or any naturally produced oil. Please note, cooking oil and vegetable oil are NOT for hair. You can also use the traditional indian hair oils such as: amla oil, shikakai oil and the mixtures of the above oil, usually sold in one bottle. 

I usually mix and match what I have at that moment in time, and those which I like and heat it up for 45seconds in the microwave and apply to my hair. It should be hot when you apply but not too hot that you can't touch it. Wrap it up in a plastic-turban (its easier to dispose of after use) or a shower cap to trap the heat and wait for at least an hour (the more the better) and shampoo it off using a gentle cleanser. Condition using a conditioner after the shampoo of course. And, voila - super smooth, shiny hair..

2. Loreal Hair Spa Creambath

No matter how rough my hair is, especially after very vigorous protein treatments, this has never failed me. This leaves my hair so soft, it can't stop touching it. It's also very kind to the wallet (buy it online, salons tend to overprice) and easily available. 

You just have to put it on, shower cap it, either steam or hot towel for about 15 mins and rinse off. If you can't be bothered to hot towel or steam, just leave it on longer - for about 30 mins and rinse off. Your hair will feel like silk. The only down-side to consider is that it has parabens in it.

3. Avocado and honey

This is also a very good DC as honey is an amazing humectant and avocado is extremely moisturising. Mix it up and leave it on for an hour. Shampoo and condition after and you will see true natural shine and softness.

4. Apple cider vinegar (ACV)

This is a natural moisturiser. All you have to do is add 1 table spoon to 1 cup of boiled and cooled water and spray it on. This need not be rinsed out so you can use it as a daily routine even when your hair is dry. The horrid smell will be aired off in a matter of minutes, and your hair will be a mass of shiny softness.

5. Hair Mayonnaise

This is typically a product for African women. However, I am so glad I found it - its amazing! I've only tried the Africa's Best Hair Mayonnaise, which was amazing. But I've heard a lot about the Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise. I'm waiting to finish all the conditioners I have before I buy more, but its next on my to-buy list. This is used as a conditioner after shampooing and its so amazing to your hair. It gives shine, lustre andsilky softness.

These are a few of the conditioners I use that has worked amazing for me. Please note that results vary according to hair type, structure and condition. 

Hair Lamination - A Russian secret demystified..

Hey guys! Hope so far the tips I've been sharing has been helping at least some of you. Today I am going to write about a Russian hair secret (Well, not so much of a secret now but I doubt many people know about this) called 'Hair Lamination'. True to its name, this treatment literally laminates each of your hair strands with the treatment sorta sealing it on to ensure maximum penetration into the hair shaft. 

The typical treatment uses specific lamination chemical treatments, which are not available in countries like mine - Malaysia.  So, being the experimentalist I am, I have put together a simple DIY version of the hair lamination that has worked wonders not just on me but the members of my family that has let me treat their hair too. Its a brilliant mix of a protein and glossy treatment.

The recipe:

1 sachet of Knox Flavourless Gelatin

2 tbsp of Mayonnaise

2 tbsp of coconut oil / aloe vera oil / aloe vera gel

A bit of milk (Use as much as you feel you need to dissolve the gelatin - i use about 10 - 15 tbsp of milk)

2 tbsp of conditioner (optional - I rarely ever add this in as I prefer natural ingredients)

Boil the milk in a small pot. If ur using powdered milk, boil some water and add the milk powder. Then add the gelatine and mix until fully (or almost fully) dissolved. Add in the mayonnaise and the oil/gel (and conditioner if you're using it) and mix thoroughly. I usually use a fork and beat it as I feel it mixes better. The liquid should be pretty runny and thin, but sticky to the touch - like maple syrup.

Now you have to apply it to your hair bit by bit to ensure full coverage from roots to ends. If your hair is frizzy or curly, detangle completely before or as you're applying the treatment. Scoop up the mixture and apply and comb the excess off . I usually put it on my hands, rub it on and comb thru the bit of hair my hair and apply it on. I don't saturate it, but put on quite a bit. Combing your hair allows the treatment to be spread evenly and also helps in giving a smoothing effect. 

Once you've applied all over, put on a shower cap or tie a turban with a plactic bag and leave it on for about 20-30 mins. After that, I usually take off the bag, as most of the excess has drained out and leave my hair to be aired. As its aired, the gelatin sorta solidifies. We're talking about another 30-40 mins. When it has kinda solidified into a jelly-like substance on the top, and still runny inside, its perfect timing to wash off. 

I would not recommend letting the whole thing solidify, especially at the ends because I have found that to be quite drying to the ends. When you're washing it off, make sure to use hot-very warm water because the heat will sorta melt off the gelatine and ensure all the residue is rinsed out properly. Once it has been washed out. I usually just co-wash and dry. It really feels awesome. However, sometimes I feel the need to use a shampoo because my scalp has some dandruff issues. Not that it is caused or effected by this treatment. I naturally have dandruff issues. So, I always shampoo the root area sometimes.

Recently though, I have moved away from commercial shampoos and moved to green tea rinses, which I have only just started, so I will post about it after I feel its results. So far tho, its been good to me. We'll see in a few weeks if it works.

Anyways, I really hope you give this treatment a shot. It has worked miracles on my hair. My hair is thicker as the gelatin fills up the strands and my dry and breaking hair has lessened. I tried this on my brother who like to spike up his hair. Very oddly, after washing it off, the hair still kinda stands which makes it easier for him to gel his hair upright later. I let the gelatine totally solidify on his hair to get more of this effect because he likes it. My dad's wife loves this treatment too. She's 57 this year and she says that her breaking hair has completely stopped after using this treatment just twice. So, I really recommend this for everyone. Its cheap, effective and wonderful.