Hair Care

Multiple formulas are offered in this chapter to nourish your hair and scalp, and many of them are customized to meet the needs of specific hair types, in natural ways that maintain hair strength, bounce, and shine.

Subtle Bubble Shampoo

This formula will transform concentrated liquid soap into a smooth and balanced hair shampoo. The argan oil restores shine and luster to dull hair.

INGREDIENTS

½ cup rosemary infusion (cooled)

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, for pH adjustment 2 ounces (60 ml) liquid

castile soap 1 teaspoon argan oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix the rosemary infusion and the vinegar. Then pour it into the soap base, in

a thin stream, whisking very gently to prevent foaming. Blend in the argan oil, slowly, still whisking until all ingredients are well blended.

2. Use as a regular shampoo.

Blond Hair Shampoo

This shampoo is good for all hair types, but especially blond hair, because the chamomile will enhance its natural color. Glycerin will soften the hair and keep it moisturized.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup freshly made chamomile tea

1 teaspoon vegetable-derived glycerin 1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 ounce (30 ml) vegetable soap flakes (you can use a cheese grater to grate

a bar of soap)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix all the ingredients except the soap.

2. While the tea mixture is still warm, sprinkle the soap flakes on the surface and mix well. Then transfer the final mixture to a bottle.

3. Shake well prior to shampooing. Rinse with water after using, as with all

shampoos.

Quick Hair Rinse

 

This formula is suitable for oily hair, because the astringency of the green tea will help tame sebum secretion. It is a watery mixture of rosemary hydrosol, white vinegar, and green tea and will give your hair vitality and shine. Vinegar adjusts the pH of the preparation.

INGREDIENTS

3 ounces (100 ml) green tea infusion 3 ounces (100 ml) rosemary infusion 1

teaspoon white vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix all the above ingredients and transfer the mixture to a spray bottle.

2. Use as a hair rinse after shampooing. Spray liberally on your hair, leave on for

a couple of minutes, and then rinse with plain water.

Soft and Silky Conditioner

This extremely softening hair conditioner works as a leave-in cream and requires no rinsing. It controls frizz and helps achieve defined curls.

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces (60 ml) shea butter

1 teaspoon emulsifier (such as glyceryl stearate) 1 ounce (30 ml) rosemary

hydrosol

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Use a double boiler to soften the shea butter over low heat. When the butter

becomes liquid, add the emulsifier. Use another double boiler to heat the

rosemary hydrosol. Monitor the temperature using a candy thermometer.

When both solutions reach a temperature of 175° F, turn off the heat under

both pans, and pour the hydrosol into the shea butter mixture slowly, steadily,

and in a thin stream, whisking vigorously the whole time. Continue whisking

until the mixture reaches room temperature; then transfer it to a small jar.

2. After showering, while your hair is still wet, rub a dab of this conditioner on

your fingers and run them through your hair. Avoid using too much if you

want to preserve some hair volume. Comb and style as usual.

Color-Treated Hair Oil

This bain d’huile will soften colored hair and give it back its shine and manageability. Make this oily hair mask every couple of months, mainly after aggressive hair treatment or if you have dry brittle hair. Moroccan argan oil and rosemary oil are excellent hair ingredients; make sure you include them in this formula to give luster, bounce, and strength to your hair.

INGREDIENTS

1 ounce (30 ml) almond oil

1 ounce (30 ml) jojoba oil

1 teaspoon argan oil

10 drops (0.5 ml) rosemary essential oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix all of the above ingredients and transfer the mixture to an amber bottle.

2. To use, apply a small amount to wet hair during your shower. Run your

fingers through your hair to coat the hair with oil and massage it into your

scalp for best absorption.

3. Put on a plastic shower cap and wait for 20–30 minutes before shampooing

your hair twice.

Leave-In Anti-Frizz Hair Spray

This formula relies on the humectant properties of glycerin, which draws moisture and works as a silky coat for frizzy hair. Rose water hydrosol is a soft and fragrant ingredient that suits most hair types.

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces (60 ml) distilled or purified water 2 ounces (60 ml) rose water

1 tablespoon vegetable-derived glycerin 10 drops (0.5 ml) geranium or

lavender essential oil (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Whisk all ingredients together until well blended and transfer the mixture to a

spray bottle.

2. Prior to spraying on wet or dry hair, shake vigorously. Style as usual.