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.     

The brilliance that is coconut oil!

Pure unrefined coconut oil

Hello beautiful people! Today my post is about one of the most amazing product for your hair - coconut oil! Now, I'm sure that at least once in our lives, we have all put oil on our hair to moisturize it. And all oils do moisturize, but only coconut oil can moisturize hair the best. There is a scientific explanation for this - the particles in coconut oil is the smallest compared to other types of oil. This enables it to penetrate faster and further into the hair shaft, creating a more substantial impact on your hair compared to other oils. 

It doesn't end there. Coconut oil is one of the oldest forms of oil used on hair, dating back to prehistoric times (this is a fact I got online - it is true for Indians though, that I can testify from my own knowledge). This oil can be even made from raw coconut at home! My grandma used to make it herself when she was younger and use it on her hair and all her daughters. The thing that makes coconut oil so amazing is that it has the ability to penetrate and fill up your hair shaft which makes your hair appear fuller and gives it a shiny and soft body. 

Coconut oil is retained inside your hair shaft even after shampooing it off. This enables it to protect your hair from possible damage and dryness even after washing off. The use of coconut oil as a pre-wash and post-wash treatment can also help prevent protein loss from your hair. It also acts as a sealant and traps the moisture in your hair, preventing flyaways and frizzyness. The antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties of coconut oil can also protect your scalp from dryness, dandruff, itching, lice and infection. Coconut oil also makes your hair stronger from your roots down - this prevents breakage and shedding of hair. The vitamins E and K found in coconut oil nourishes your hair and gives it a natural shine. So, as you can see coconut oil is an all-rounder treatment. The only thing it does not do is make your hair grow faster - that is a myth! It has no such properties.

solid form coconut oil

The best way to use coconut oil is on its own! So, you don't have to get a ton of other stuff to use it. I usually get the Franch's Coconut Oil because its readily available in Watsons and the indian Cash & Carry shops. However, about 2 weeks ago my lovely cousins went to India, and I asked them to get me the pure coconut oil from the shops there. They, being wonderful loving cousins, brought back home-made pure unrefined coconut oil!! This was the best thing ever for me! Many of the other blogs I've read asked to use virgin or extra virgin coconut oil. However, although those are easier to find in your local supermarket, most of the properties and raw nourishment you find in the unrefined oil is lost and strained out. So, unrefined oil is best. The organic coconut oil is pretty good. Its usually solid at room temperature in certain countries. In Malaysia, it is liquid because of the horrible heat we have. 

It is very simple to use. Just pour enough coconut oil you feel will supersaturate your hair into a small bowl, heat it up in the microwave for about 30 - 40 seconds (this is to ensure its hot, but not too hot that we cannot put our hands in it to apply on our hair), and apply it on. My advice is to start at the scalp. Part your hair slowly bit  by bit and drip a few drops on your scalp using your fingers and rubbing it in as you go along, until you've done your whole head. Then, massage your head for about 3 -5 minutes. After that, if the oil in the bowl is insufficient or cooled down, heat up more/again. You need the oil hot when you apply it on your hair (once again, hot but not too hot that you burn your fingers). Start at your roots and apply the oil on your hair by rubbing the oil on your hands and combing it through your hair until its fully saturated. I usually divide my hair into 4 parts to make sure it is fully covered and saturated. Then wrap it up with a plastic bag or put on a shower cap to trap the heat.

Commercially produces coconut oil

It is always best to leave it on for at least an hour to give it enough time to penetrate fully and nourish. I usually put it on my hair on a Friday night or weekend morning and go about my day doing what I have to do. As my country is extremely hot (our days can go up to 35 - 38 degree celcius), if I have to go to the mini market or laundrette nearby, I take off the plastic bag and comb my hair with a comb to make it look neat and go about my stuff. I let the heat work its magic on my hair (at least its good for something). Or, if I'm at home I just sit around with my plastic turban until I feel like showering. This usually is for 4 - 6 hours. Coconut oil has almost no smell so I dun mind leaving it on even for the whole day. You can even leave it on overnight and wash the next morning. Its a natural product so it will never damage your hair.

Sometimes, I mix it with a little aloe vera oil or olive oil to add more benefits to the hot oil treatment. You can also add coconut oil to your other hair masks such as the mayonnaise mask, the gelatin mask and even to your daily shampoo and conditioner. If you can't find anything to help dry, frizzy, damaged hair, try this. It will blow your mind, I promise you!