I'm talking money honey.
These days, unless you're packing a stack of coupons, hair conditioner will cost $4/bottle minimum. The salon stuff will set you back at least $12. And it's not quality we're paying for, it's chemicals. Lots of nasty chemicals that leave waxy build-up, cause dandruff, and yes, even rob the hair of it's moisture. Many hair products claim to repair damaged hair and recover split ends, but if you have half a brain, you know that this is false advertising at its best. Here's the skinny: Hair is made up of dead cells. It is not a living organism. It cannot be resuscitated with chemical promises, and commercial products will not create long, luxurious locks while you sleep.
Although, I'm pretty sure there are evil hair fairies sprinkling gray pixie dust on mine while I sleep.☺
After ditching the commercial products, I started using an apple cider vinegar rinse on my hair. (1 cup water and 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar.) It did a great job of keeping my hair mousse from making a permanent home on my scalp, but did little by itself for keeping the dry scalp at bay. Between winter and the wood stove, this year was unusually bad. Like I-can't-wear-my-favorite-black-shirt bad.
A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon a recipe for homemade hair conditioner. And honestly, I cannot tell you where I got it. I think I had found it through the link of a link of a link of a link to another blog. Or the link of a link of a link of a link through Pinterest. Or the link of a link of a link...oh, never mind. If this is your recipe, I thank you. My hair thanks you. And my wallet thanks you.
~Hair Conditioner~
~The Players~
3/4 C. water
1/4 apple cider vinegar
2 Tb. aloe vera gel
1 Tb. honey
8 drops peppermint essential oil
8 drops tea tree oil
Combine all ingredients into a squirt bottle or condiment bottle. Shake well to incorporate the honey and aloe vera into the mix.
To use: After shampooing hair (I use a natural shampoo bar.), squirt conditioner all over scalp and hair being careful not to get any in the eyes. Gently massage conditioner into scalp. Allow to sit for a minute or two before rinsing well.
Be sure to shake before each use to reincorporate the oils and honey back into the mix. Style as usual.
Here's what each ingredient does:
*Apple cider vinegar balances the ph in the hair, and removes build-up from hair styling products. It is also an effective treatment for dandruff and itchy scalp.
*Aloe vera gel is an effective treatment for dandruff, dry scalp, and psoriasis.
*Honey is an antiviral and antibacterial that moisturizes the scalp.
*Peppermint essential oil reduces excess oil that can cause hair to fall flat and soothes skin irritations and itchy scalp.
*Tea tree oil kills bacteria, combats dandruff, and is an effective preventative for lice.
Shiny hair, more money in the wallet, less exposure to unnatural chemicals, and very frugal.
10 comments:
Very nice indeed! I have found an all natural shampoo, I have yet to try with coconut milk in it, but had yet to find a conditioner I wanted to try. Sounds better then eggs! Thanks for sharing. I've got it written down!
Is this stuff OK for color treated hair as well???
Yes, it is safe for color-treated hair~I've been testing it on mine for a few weeks now! :)
Sounds awesome! Now for a question...how long does each batch last you? A week? Less? I want to try this!! Thanks for posting!!! :)
Valerie~This lasts my shoulder length hair about 10 days. And I use it everyday! :)
This is really interesting. I'd be willing to give this a try :) :) I found your blog post via the Homestead Barn Hop today :) :) Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :) :) :)
I went no'poo over a year ago. Now for conditioner I use diluted apple cider vinegar with a few drops of TTO. I never considered the TTO would be could for lice. I knew ticks didn't like it. Thank you for spelling that out for me.
And thank you for posting on the Economy Party!
How does this do at detangling long hair? I have had little success with no-poo and natural shampoos and conditioners in this respect. They make my hair and scalp clean and relaxed but don't go deep enough to soothe the tangles and I end up with yanking and damaging my hair and then going back to my chemicals. I would love to find a natural alternative that had the slippery effect of chemical conditioners.
Alyssa Faith~I have medium-length curly hair and this does a great job at detangling. Make sure to apply it to your scalp and gently work in with your fingertips. I then apply a little more to the rest of my hair and leave on for a minute or two. I've been using this conditioner for a while now and still LOVE it! Thanks for stopping by!
Looks like a great recipe. How much does each ingredient cost?
Rosa~I can find aloe vera gel at our local health food store for $5/16 oz. bottle. The price of essential oils can vary, but you'll want to make sure they are 100% essential oil~no fillers. Tea tree oil will be the most expensive, but should be under $10 for a small bottle. The initial cost to do this will be around $20, but you will get many batches out of it. In the year that I've been making this, I've only had to buy another bottle of aloe gel (and apple cider vinegar, but that's for cooking too.) and I have 4 showers to keep supplied. Hope this helps!
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