Category Archives: Ayurvedic Herbs for Hair

Final Thoughts & Results of 6 weeks of Protective Styles & Castor Oil Challenge

Hey Maicurlies,

As you (probably) know, I was doing weekly updates of how my hair was feeling, looking and styled over the last few weeks during my Protective Style & Castor Oil challenge. You can find the updates here: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6.

I just wanted to share a final summary of how I feel about the challenge as a whole, my results and future plans. I also have a video explaining how it all went on my YouTube Channel:

Castor Oil challenge results:

Hair remained moisturized throughout the week
My hair was super smooth, soft & shiny
I feel like my hair got a little thicker (I NEED every fiber I can get!)
My scalp was not itchy

Protective style challenge:

Less tangles
Less single strand knots
Less hand in hair syndrome
Less detangling time needed

Overall I am super happy with the results I got after 6 weeks.

Growth

I measured my hair before and after the challenge and while getting length was not my primary goal it was welcomed. I got some growth according to my rubbish measuring skills (I really suck at trying to measure my hair with a tape!)

Measurements

Hair Growth Measurements

On average I got 3/4 inches of growth overall, with my crown getting the least amount (1/2 an inch) and the back more growth (1 inch). So I wouldn’t say it was anything “major” but it is still growth nonetheless and I am happy.

Points for the next time:

I think I will do an 8 week challenge next time.
Will probably try doing just one style per week (hopefully I will not “get bored”)
Will use my Castor Oil Blend a little more on my hairline since it is so fragile and can do with a boost in thickness.

Future plans:

Do more protective styles during my normal routine to keep my ends protected and knots away.
Continue to use my castor oil blend on my scalp and hairline with a tiny bit on the ends of my hair. (Using it on my hairline every other day maybe everyday if I can get away with it.)
I will occasionally add some of my castor oil blend to my DIY Deep Conditioners
Add a little castor oil blend with other others as a pre-poo before cleansing with Shikakai.

If you are doing any sort of challenge for your hair be it a heat-free, colour-free, protective style challenge etc. let me know how it is going, I would love to hear from you!

Thanks

Maicurls

DIY Amla Infused Grapeseed Oil (Recipe 4)

4 Replies

Hello Maicurlies,

I promise we are close to the end of my DIY Infused Oil obsession just two more to go after this (I will probably make more for myself but don’t want to push it by making you guys hear about EVERYTHING I make) 😀

I will be sharing how I make my DIY Amla Infused Grapeseed Oil.

DIY Amla Infused Grapeseed Oil

I have already mentioned the benefits of using Amla infused oil which you can read over here and in case you’re new to my blog (Hi there!) or perhaps missed my previous oil Infusion posts you can find links to them below:

DIY Rose Infused Grapeseed Oil

DIY Hibiscus infused Almond Oil

Before I go any further I want to mention I was not requested or compensated for anything used in this DIY recipe. All products used were paid for with my own money. Amla oil is said to help darken the hair so if you do not want this attribute then this recipe might not be the one for you.

With that out the way – I have a video demonstrating how I make my Amla Infused oil on my YouTube Channel:

I also wanted to provide a write-up so here we go Maicurlies!

Ingredients/tools:

Spoon
Measuring cups
Container
Coffee filter
String (to close the coffee filter)
1/4 cup of Amla powder (Hesh)
1.5 cups cup of Grapeseed Oil (you can use any oil of choice)
15 drops Grapefruit essential oil (optional – you can use any oil of choice)

*NOTE: I am not a dermatologist nor a doctor. I provide this for informational purposes only so please consult with a professional before you apply anything new to your skin or hair. Should you be taking medication or creams from a medical professional please do not replace that with my DIY recipe – consult your medical professional first! If you are allergic to any of the ingredients I use do not use them. Do a small patch test on the inside of your arm when trying anything new before applying it all over your hair/skin. Always ensure to dilute the Essential Oils (EO) in a carrier oil as they can cause skin irritations if used undiluted. If you are pregnant you should NOT use any EO.

: I add 1/4 cup of Amla powder to my coffee filter paper

: Close the filter with string

: Pouring 1.5 cups of Grapeseed oil over Amla bag

: Let the Oil infuse for 2 weeks

: (left) before oil has infused (right) 2 weeks later after the oil infusion

: I take out the filter and squeeze out excess oil. (You can run the oil through a filter or cheese cloth afterwards).

: I add 15 drops of Grapefruit essential Oil (optional) and that is it!

Here are some of the ways you can use the oil:

To seal in moisture
Part of you deep condition mix
A pre-poo
In your whipped butter mix
For a scalp massage

I would love to hear if you have or will use Amla Infused Oil . I would also love to hear how you use the oil!

Thanks

Maicurls

Benefits of DIY Amla Infused Grapeseed Oil

1 Reply

Hey Maicurlies,

I just fished editing my DIY Amla Infused Grapeseed oil and wanted to explain why I personally like using it. I have already mentioned how and why I like using Amla powder as part of my Henna/Amla Treatment and have a video of my process but also wanted to touch upon the benefits of the oil.

photo credit: Henna Sooq via photopin cc

What is Amla?

Amal (Gooseberry) is a green fruit renowned in Asia – mainly in India. It is rich in Vitamin-C and minerals and is considered a powerful antioxidant agent that has several uses (not just for the hair and skin.) The fruit itself tastes extremely taut and bitter but can be made into a juice or eaten as a fruit. Due to is high Vitamin-C content, it is known to be used against coughs and colds, can help boost the body’s immune system and is refereed to as a detoxifier that can help cleanse the liver and kidney. Amla juice has been said to be effective in lowering the fat content in the body which can help in weight loss and is even said to be beneficial for your eyes due to the presence of antioxidants.

Now looking at it as an oil: it can be used for both your hair and skin – I love multipurpose products!

Skin

Amla infused oil can be used to trap in moisture (after you have showered), provide a glow to your skin and delay the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (with frequent use). Its antiseptic properties makes it a good skin cleanser and is known to help reduce blemishes & dark circles under the eyes.

Hair

Amla infused oil can help darken the hair (with frequent use*), promote growth, strengthen the hair from roots to ends, enhance luster and shine, reduce shedding, thicken the hair and help promote its overall condition.

*If you have light or bleached hair and do not want it darkened then this oil might not be for you. The oil will not make make grey/white hair black but it can gradually darken its appearance.

Scalp

It is known to help combat mild scalp irritations and dandruff due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and antioxidant properties (check with your doctor/dermatologist).

Oils for infusion:

Depending on your preference you can use any carrier oil of choice. The additional benefits you will get from the oil will all depend on what you choose to use. I usually use Grapeseed oil due to the fact that it is light and easily absorbed. Click on the link for a list of different carrier oils and their benefits for the hair and skin.

I will have a new post with my video and an explanation of how I make the oil shortly!

Thanks

Maicurls

Henna Glosses

3 Replies

Hey Maicurlies,

I will occasionally do Henna Glosses whenever I remember (I should do them more often because they are awesome!) I tend to do Henna/Amla DC’s but will do a henna gloss when I do not have time to do a full strength henna DC or when I am running low on henna. I have already written about the benefits of Henna and made a video explaining how and why I use it.

Benefits of henna glosses (Glosses are not as “strong” as a full strength henna treatment but it:

Gives shine to the hair.
Strengthens the hair from root to tip.
Provides a slight tint – (depends on the length of time you leave it on, how much you dilute the henna and how strong your henna is).
Can help fight dandruff and scalp irritations (check with your dermatologist first).
Leaves the hair feeling less dry/rough versus a full strength henna treatments.
Requires less time (the time you leave it on your hair).
Rinses out easier.
Requires less henna (due to the additional ingredients you add).
Can be used as a “touch up” to a full strength henna treatment.

What can I add to my Henna mix to make it a “gloss”:

The simple answer is anything, but popular additions are:

coconut milk
coconut cream
conditioner (preferable protein free)

You might also add

honey/agave nectar
oils

How to make a Henna gloss:

Again, the options are endless. My personal opinion is that even though a henna gloss is supposed to be “diluted” I still want to be able to get its benefits. It is the lawson or Lawsonia inermis (red/orange dye) that provides the benefits therefore, I choose use a mix that has dye release versus applying the paste right after mixing (before dye release).

For my henna glosses I actually use a paste that has already been mixed (from the last time I applied henna) and is stored in my freezer. The intensity of red dye is incredible when I use henna that has been frozen. I let the henna defrost (naturally no heat) and then add my ingredients. If I do not have any mixed, I make my full strength paste, cover it and wait for dye release (I get due release after no less than 4 hours based on my henna powder). I use 50% henna paste and will then add 50% coconut cream or conditioner, a tiny dab of honey, a little oil and apply it to damp hair.

I let the henna gloss sit on my hair for 1 hour and then rinse, rinse, rinse. Due to the fact that I add other ingredients, it makes the rinsing much easier and my hair does not feel dry. I do follow up with a Moisturizing DC afterwards just to make sure and that is it!

Do you use henna glosses? If so, what is your mix?

Thanks

Maicurls

DIY Infused Oil “Mini-Series”

2 Replies

HELLLOOO Maicurlies,

I hope all is well!

I have been BUSY making DIY mixes, recording videos (editing), taking photos and have come up with an Infused Oil “series”! Do I hear you say: HOW EXCITING! (Yes, it is!)

Infused Oils

If you are wondering why would you want to make an infused oil? I say why not?!

In all seriousness, infused oils give you the option of incorporating your favorite ingredients to your favorite carrier oil – adding more punch, nourishment and benefits for your hair and/or skin.

Uses of infused oils for the hair

Infused oils can be used in a number of different ways such as: Pre-poo’s, hot oil treatments, scalp massages, Deep Conditioners, leave-in conditioners, whipped butters, sealing…ANYTHING! Their benefits depend on the ingredients used for infusion and the carrier oil you use. With each of my infusions I will list the benefits of each and how I personally use them.

Infused oil for skin

You can incorporate infused oils into a DIY Body butters, sugar scrubs or even directly onto your skin to trap in moisture after a shower.

So which Oils have I made (are in the making?)

Rose Infused Grapeseed Oil
Hibiscus Infused Almond Oil
Amla Infused Grapeseed Oil
Coffee Infused Almond Oil
Neem Infused Coconut Oil

Heads up – Rose Infused Grapeseed Oil will be first!

I hope you enjoy this “mini series”.

Do you make your own infused oil? If so what do you make and how? I would love to hear from you!

Thanks

Maicurls

Aritha Review Video Up on YouTube

Shikakai Review Video Up on YouTube

Making your own Hibiscus petals and powder (video)

11 Replies

Hey Maicurlies,

I hope all is well and you are enjoying the football (soccer) bug as much I am 😀

Right let me get back to business.

Hibiscus Petals and Powder

I have already mentioned Hibiscus in a previous post “Hibiscus for Hair, Health and Skin”, and so I finally made a video as well which you can watch below or on my YouTube Channel:

I personally use Hibiscus for my hair, skin and internally.

For my hair: I add it to my Henna
For my skin: I have used it as a toner* (although my Rosewater toner is hands down my favorite)
Internally: I use it as a tea

*Hibiscus does give off a purple/red tint so you might want to splash off the toner after applying it to a cotton swab and rubbing it over your face.

If you feel like doing a little extra DIY then you can use Hibiscus petals from your garden and either sun-dry them or use your oven to dry them*.

Fresh Hibiscus Petals from my garden

*It is “faster” to oven-dry the petals however a lot more difficult to do without burning them (trust me I’ve tried)! Sun-drying requires a little more time but you do not run the risk of burning the hibiscus.

Apart from collecting the petals yourself, an easier way is to use prepackaged hibiscus petals or powder. I personally get mine from a local Indian store but there are several sources where you can find them in case you do not have a local Indian store near you. Just to mention a few Amazon, Butters-n-Bars and SheaButter Cottage are three places where you can find either the petals or powder (just some suggestions).

Packaged Dried Hibiscus

Please note: I was not requested, paid, or compensated to mention the sources above. I paid (with my own money) for the hibiscus petals I use and just wanted to share where you can find the product in case you are interested.

I get whole petals from the store but I like to use both whole petals as well as the powdered form. I make my own powder by simply blending the dried petals, sieving them (a couple of times) and that is it! See below:

: Hibiscus Petals Before Sieving

: Blended Hibiscus Powder before being sieved

: Sieving blended Hibiscus Powder

: Sieved Hibiscus Powder

I like to use the whole petals for my tea and whenever I make my hibiscus toner for my skin. I use the powder when I mix my henna as it gives my hair an extra punch of red! 🙂

My video goes into detail about how exactly I make each of the three DIY products so please take a look at that.

I would love to hear if you use Hibiscus powder or petals and how!

Thanks

Maicurls

Aritha– Ayurvedic all Natural Shampoo (Option 2)

4 Replies

Hi Maicurlies,

As promised, today I will cover part 2 of my all natural Auyvedic shampoo experiments. In my previous review (part 1) I wrote about Shikakai powder and today I will be covering Aritha powder.

Similar to Shikakai, Aritha predominetly comes from Asia – mainly in India and is derived from a fruit. It is most commonly known as soapnut or Sapindus Trifoliatus.

In Asia Aritha is popular alternative to commercial shampoo due to the fact that it does not contain unnatural elements and harsh chemicals.

Aritha – Hesh

The brand of Aritha I used is Hesh and apart from being a natural shampoo, Aritha has a number of different uses. For one it can be used for the skin:

Cleanses the pores
Helps the skin breath better
Improves the texture of skin (with frequent use)

I have used it for my skin and it did a really good job of cleaning, clearing up my pores as well as helping fight my oily T-zone. I would suggest this for those who have oily skin as apposed to dry skin because it can cause more dryness.

According to the box, it is also said to be an effective agent to wash silk, wool clothes, silver and gold ornaments and utensils. I did not try this personally

Now for the shampoo part. The box says it:

Completely cleans the hair
Works an efficient natural shampoo
Best for extremely oily (dirty) hair
Gives the hair natural gloss and bounce
Cleans dirt accumulated on the scalp

To use Aritha you do not need any additional ingredients apart from water however, I know some people might add a little oil to the mix. Note: Aritha will have a moderate lather (it lathers more than Shikakai). BTW it has a fruit/spice smell to it…I do not particularly mind it but those with a sensitive sense of smell will pick up on its scent!

Box application instructions:

1. Take required quantity of powder, add a little water and mix to make a thick past. 2. Gently massage (scalp) using your fingertips. 3. Wait for 2 – 5 minute and 4. wash thoroughly with water.

Aritha Powder

My experiments: I tried two different methods

1. Box method – 5 tablespoons of Aritha and 8 tablespoons of water. It made a really thick paste and I applied it to my damp scalp as instructed. I carefully and slowly massaged my scalp for a few minutes while in the shower, left it on for 5 minutes and then rinsed it off with lukewarm water. While I was rinsing it off I would glide my hands down the length of my hair so that there would be some contact but I did not concentrate on the length of my hair.

Pros- My scalp felt really really clean. I had no buildup what so ever and even though it had limited contact with the length of my hair it still felt really clean.

Con – My hair felt drrrryyyyy afterwards! It took a couple of rinses till I felt like I got all the mix off my scalp and hair. The mix did what it was suppose to (cleaned my hair and scalp) but maybe a little too effectively in terms of stripping my hair of its natural oils. I needed an intesne moisturizing DC afterwards.

2. Second Method – Due to my previous experience (really dry hair) I prepped by doing a hot oil treatment for 30 minutes before applying the Aritha. I used less powder and a lot more water (3 tablespoons Aritha and 3/4 cup of water). I put the mixture in an old (clean) squeeze container and liberally squirted the mixture over my scalp. (Do not get it in your eyes it will burn and feel uncomfortable!) Since it was a lot more liquid-based, the mixture ran down my hair as well. I gently massaged just my scalp and let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing it out with lukewarm water.

Pros – Again my scalp felt and looked really clean as did the length of my hair.

Cons – My hair still felt dry afterwards even though I “prepoo’d” for 30 minutes. Also because it was very watery the mix did run down my hair a couple of times while I was massaging my scalp.

Verdict

Would I buy this again? Yes BUT only to use for my face not to use it on my hair. I prefer Shikakai as a natural shampoo because it did not leave my hair as dry but did a good job of cleaning my hair. I can not say this is a “bad” product because it did what it supposed to do (cleans the scalp) and also dried the length of my hair from the limited contact it had. I think perhaps those with more product build up or an oily scalp might find this a little less harsh? I just know that I would use it again for my face but not my scalp.

P.S. I was not asked/paid or compensated to mention the company or brand. The product was bought with my own money and the review was based on my own personal experience. This review was based on my own personal experiences and should you choose to use Aritha I would suggest you do your research and then do a patch test before applying the product on your scalp to see if you are allergic to it or not.

Have you tried Aritha as a shampoo? If so, what did you think? If not, do you use any other Auyvedic powder as a natural shampoo? Let me know!

Maicurls

DIY Scalp Scrub

4 Replies

Good Morning Maicurlies,

I wanted to share another DIY mix with you. I am sure you are wondering when does she stop mixing?! NEVER 😀

In all serenity I LOVE mixing my products. I have had both the bad and good store bought products and I can not lie not ALL of my DIY mixes have been a success however at least I can blame myself for that. I prefer tailoring products and adding ingredients I know are good for me, work for me and will not harm me or my body.

Anyways back to the topic which is a scalp scrub.

photo credit: lovelihood via photopin cc

There are a number of different reasons why you might want to use a scrub and different ways in which you can make one. The skin on our scalp is no different to the skin on the rest of our body. It can become dry, flaky, overloaded with product, irritated, itchy and so on. Scrubs can help to:

Remove dead cells
Relieve an itchy or irritated scalp
Relieve flaking/dandruff
Help to remove build up on the scalp
Clear up clogged pores
Relieve scalp acne, scalp pimples and white heads
Provide moisture and oils to a dry scalp

My particular scalp includes ingredients that helps to exfoliate, remove buildup, moisturize, conditions my roots and scalp as well as relax and increase blood flow to my scalp. I have a video on YouTube of my DIY Scalp Scrub.

My DIY Scalp Scrub

Ingredients:

8 Teaspoons of Raw Sugarcane (brown) Sugar*
10 Tablespoons of Pure Honey
2 teaspoons of Amla Powder (optional)
2.5 teaspoons of Almond Oil
4 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil (optional)

*I blend the brown sugar before making the scrub just for a few pulses because I have a sensitive scalp and do not want to scratch it with rough sugar granules. Even if you do not have a sensitive scalp I suggest first lightly blending the sugar because the scrub will not only be gentler on your scalp but also on your roots!

Ingredient Explanation:

– Sugarcane (brown) Sugar – Acts as the exfoliant to help remove dead skin and buildup (you can use regular white sugar if you can not find brown sugar).

– Honey – Used to moisturize the scalp and roots due to its humectant properties. It also has natural antibacterial and anti-fungal properties to help heal up scalp irritations a little quicker. (You can use molasses if you are allergic to honey.)

– Amla – Helps to condition dry scalps and roots, restores the p.H balance and also works as a good anti-fungal and antibacterial agent. (This is an optional ingredient.)

– Almond Oil – Helps to restore any lost natural oils produced by the scalp. (You can use any oil – I suggest using any light oil of choice)

– Peppermint Essential Oil (EO) – Helps to simulate blood flow to the scalp which helps to promote hair growth due to the increase in oxygen from the blood flow. It also has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and is an excellent soothing EO. (You can use any EO of choice)
NOTE: Essential oils are potent therefor need to be diluted and if you are pregnant I would refrain from using any EO

Mixing

I first blend the 8 teaspoons of sugar just a few pulses and put it in a bowl. I add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix everything really well and then transfer it into a container.

I would recommend using a scrub no more than once every 2 weeks. The longer you leave the scrub standing the more the sugar will dissolve so you might need to remake this recipe before you use it up (depending on how much you use when you scrub).

TIP: This scrub can of course also be used for your body. If you feel like you will not be able to use all of it for your scalp before the sugars dissolves use it for your body!

Do you use a scrub for your scalp if so what do you use? If you try my recipe please let me know if you enjoyed it or not I would love to hear from you.

Thanks

Maicurls