DIY Hibiscus Tea Spray/Rinse

Hello Maicurlies,

Some of you might have noticed that I LOVE using hibiscus for my hair and you can tell because I’ve made a few posts and videos all about hibiscus such as: (here) where I talk about the benefits, (here) where I talk about making your own hibiscus powder/petals and (here) where I explained how I infused hibiscus petals in oil. Yes I am obsessed!

Today I wanted to talk about why & how I make a Hibiscus tea spray using the petals.

Hibiscus Tea Spray

Benefits recap:

Helps grow healthy hair
Stops excessive hair shedding
Provides the hair with a boost of luster and bounce
Soothes scalp irritations
Adds a natural shine to the hair
Strengthens the hair
Helps reduce dandruff due to its moisturizing properties
Helps conditions the hair
Adds deep red/purple undertones to the hair*

*The red/purple tones are not that apparent in dark hair, it appears more as an undertone but in light, bleached or dyed hair, the red/purple tones is more noticeable.

Ingredients of the spray

1/4 cup Hibiscus petals
1.5 cups Water
1 teaspoon Glycerin (optional – you can substitute this with another ingredient see below)
1 teaspoon Neem infused coconut oil (you can use any Carrier Oil of choice)
5 drops Grapefruit Essential oil (you can use any Essential Oil of choice)

For some, hibiscus can be drying on the hair due to its high acidic content therefore you can add other ingredients to the tea to make it a little moisturizing. So apart from the hibiscus, I also use water (obviously) which is great for the hair. I also add glycerin – a humectant that draws moisture in the air to the area applied. (If your hair does not like glycerin you can substitute it with honey, Aloe Vera Juice, Agave Nectar or omit it completely). My DIY Neem Infused Coconut Oil is great for reducing hair shedding, reduces breakage, is known to help slow down premature graying & the appearance of grey hairs and the fact that coconut oil is known the penetrate the hair it works from the inside out. I added Grapefruit EO because well for one it smells awesome, it helps fight dandruff, keeps the scalp clean and helps to slowdown bacterial growth in the tea. Always store the tea in the fridge!

“How to”:

All you do is boil the hibiscus petals in the water for no more than 5 minutes and then allow it to come down to room temperature. Once cooled down add the remaining ingredients (neem infused coconut oil, glycerin and grapefruit essential oil) and stir really well. Transfer it either into a spray bottle or a container you will use to pour over your hair and presto you are done.

How I use my Hibiscus Tea

I like using a spray bottle because I can control how much/little is applied instead of pouring the tea all over my hair. I apply on dry hair and then cover with a shower cap for 1 – 1.5 hours before washing it out. I generally apply it before co-washing or doing my Wash Day Process and then proceed with styling. I store the bottle in my fridge and it lasts for 1 week – 1.5 weeks absolute max and then I make a new batch.

Do you use Hibiscus Tea for your hair? If so how does it help the overall health of your hair?

Thanks

Maicurls

Tea Sprays/Rinses for Hair

10 Replies

Hey Maicurlies,

photo credit: T.Kiya via photopin cc

Did you know there are all kinds of teas you can use for your hair as a herbal rinse or spray, depending on the benefits you want to get and your hair needs? I of course have 2 favorites: hibiscus and green tea.

What are Tea Rinses/Sprays?

Basically it is brewed tea that you either pour over your hair or spray onto your hair (once it is at room temperature). Some might choose to rinse the tea out later while others let it dry on their hair. I do both depending on which of the two teas I am using (rinse) hibiscus tea (leave on) green tea.

*While teas are excellent for your hair, too much of a good thing can be bad therefore if this is new to your routine and hair I recommend rinsing out the tea. The information provided is for educational purposes only. I am not a doctor nor a medical professional therefore, please consult with your personal doctor or a medical professional before starting anything new and if you are pregnant always consult your personal doctor or medical professional.

Some of the benefits you can get from using tea rinses are:

Circulation in the scalp
Stimulation of the hair follicle – leading to hair growth
Easing scalp irritations
Clearing up dandruff, itchy or flaky scalps
Reducing excessive hair shedding
Reducing breakage – by strengthening the hair
Cleansing the scalp & hair
Increasing hair manageability
Restoring luster, body and bounce
Conditioning the hair

Herbal Tea Options

Black Tea – Reduces hair loss and shedding, adds sheen, naturally darkens the hair, provides softness and manageability.
Calendula – Nourishes the scalp, helps elevate scalp irritations due to its anti-fungal properties and brightens blond hair.
Chamomile – soothes an irritated/itchy/sore scalp, known to help with dandruff, provides sheen to the hair and relieves stress. It brightens blonde hair and brings out blonde highlights on light brown hair.
Green Tea – Helps to combat hair loss, soothes the scalp, aids with scalp irritations, darkens the hair, provides the hair with strength and reduces breakage.
Hibiscus – Provides shine, conditions the hair, has astringent qualities, reduces hair shedding and breakage and provides a deep red/purple tone which appears as an undertone in dark hair and is more visible in light/blond/bleached hair.
Linden Flower – provides strength to weak hair, aids in hair growth, conditions dry & brittle hair and provides circulation to the scalp.
Sage – invigorates and cleanses the hair and scalp, known to help reduces excessive hair shedding and hair loss.

I will have two separate posts for my favorite tea rinses next!

Do you use tea rinses/sprays for your hair? If so which are your favorite, I would love to hear from you!

Maicurls

Fortifying Protein Deep Conditioner

7 Replies

Hey Maicurlies,

I mentioned in a previous post that I have been experimenting with making a super strengthening Protein Deep Conditioner (DC) to help not only with breakage but also shedding. So far so good! I have a new Protein DC that my hair seems to really like but I will state that this is really quite “strong” so if you have Protein sensitive hair I would avoid trying this!

I ALWAYS do a Moisturizing DC afterwards to restore balance and the hair’s elasticity levels back to normal. If you use too much Protein you hair might snap of when manipulated therefore always I repeat always do a moisturizing DC afterwards (regardless of how strong/weak the Protein DC might be).

For this Protein DC I use a “special” ingredient which is Gelatine. Now for those of you who are vegan or vegetarian I would suggest not doing this because of the contents of Gelatine. For those of who who eat jellies or certain deserts like Penna Cotta then it shouldn’t bother you (yes I am a Penna Cotta fan).

Gelatine is mainly made up of the amino acids, glycine and proline found in the bones, fibrous tissues and organs of animals (which is why vegans and vegetarians might not like the DC). It is a really good source of protein that strengths, adds shine, protects the hair from split ends and helps prevent breakage.

Recipe:

1 Egg yolk – packed with protein to help strengthen hair strands
1 teaspoon plain gelatin powder – very strong protein helps strengthen the hair and reduce breakage.
1/3 cup green tea & hibiscus tea – helps hair shedding, provides shine and the green tea is known to darken the hair, prevent premature graying while the hibiscus helps highlight red tones
1/2 cup* Conditioner ( I use Suave Naturals Aloe & Waterlily) you can use any conditioner you want
2 teaspoons Coffee Infused Almond Oil – known to help stimulate growth & help reduce shedding (you can use any carrier oil of choice)

*I use a lot of conditioner to coat my hair which is quite long, you can use less for shorter hair or more if you have thick hair.

Protein DC

Mixing Instructions:

Bring the green and hibiscus tea to a boil and let it cool down till it is warm.
Sprinkle the gelatine over the warm tea (not hot) and stir stir stir.
Separate the egg yolk from egg whites (I use the egg white for a face mask – not nice smelling but effective!)
Put egg yolk and conditioner in a container and whisk for 1 minute till fluffy and creamy.
Add the Coffee Infused Oil and cooled down gelatine tea to the egg yolk conditioner and whisk for a few seconds.

Application

I apply on damp hair that has been cleansed. Applying on cleansed hair means there is no product build up/ dirt as a barrier between the hair and DC.
I cover my hair with a shower cap and a wet warm facecloth on top to keep the DC warm. (You may need to rewarm the wet facecloth but do not put a HOT facecloth on your head. I also would avoid using a heating cap because this could potentially “cook” the egg yolk and harden the gelatin while on your hair)
I leave it on for no more than 1 hour, rise and then follow up with a Moisturizing DC.

Have you used a Protein DC with gelatine? If so how? If you plan on using this DC I would love to hear from you!

Maicurls

Big Bun with a Side Bang (Styling Tutorial)

3 Replies

Hello Maicurlies,

It feels like it’s been forever since I made a styling video (it has been) so without further ado, I want to share my “how to” tutorial of my Big Bun with a Side Bang.

Big Bun with a Side Bang

Now, I have to give credit where credit is due: I actually got inspired to do this style through one of Mo Knows Hair amazing videos. I did make some alterations to my version such as not working with blow dried hair and I also formed the bun a little differently to hers but the concept came from her. Please check out her video here like I said, she is amazing!

I have a few images of the steps (below) along with a video of how I did the style on my YouTube Channel.

: I unravel the overnight twists

: Separate the twists with Almond Oil on my fingers

: Separate a section at the front for the bang and pin away

: I spray a little leave-in around the top of my hair and make a ponytail

: I put 2 bobby pins about 1/4 down the bang

: Pull the rest of the hair over to cover the bobby pins and have a side bang

: Tuck away the ends of the bang

: Separate the ponytail into 3 and then roll and tuck each section

: I pin down each separate section

: Repeat on the remaining sections

: Pin and hold in place

It is really simple to do.

I hope you like it!

Maicurls

Why you should add Aloe Vera juice to your routine – Global Couture

7 Replies

Hey Maicurlies,

By Sommai - Aloe Vera Fresh Leaf www.freedigitalphotos.net

By Sommai – Aloe Vera Fresh Leaf http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Some of you might be aware that I am a fan of Aloe Vera Juice (AVJ) since going back natural. I have been known to “borrow” some Aloe Vera from my mum who has a few plants in her garden and I ended up buying my own after pillaging her supplies.

Since I am a fan I of course already wrote a post about it here and also wrote an article on Global Couture about “Why you should add Aloe Vera juice to your routine”

Why you should add Aloe Vera Juice to your routine

The article highlights some of reasons why you might want to try using AVJ in your routine be it store bought or directly from the plant (which is my favorite method) as well as suggestions of how you can include it into your routine. So if you are 50/50 about using AVJ maybe a little gander at the article might convince you to give it a go.

Do you use AVJ? If so how? I would love to hear from you!

Maicurls

DIY Coffee Bean Infused Almond Oil (Recipe 6)

25 Replies

Hello Maicurlies,

My oil infusion has finally come to an end. I know, I know you all are doing a little happy dance and saying fiiiiinnnaaalllly! Yup this is it, no more oil infusion frenzy.

As you probably guessed (thanks to the title and picture) the oil I will be sharing is my DIY Coffee Bean Infused Almond Oil! Doesn’t the coffee beans look oh sooooo good?!

Right, first off I need to stress how much I LOVE this oil!!! Of all the 6 in fusions I have done this is right up there along with my DIY Rose Infused Grapeseed Oil. As with most of my infused oils you can use this one for both your skin (face/body and scalp) as well as your hair.

Finished Coffee bean infused Almond Oil

For the hair:

Reduces hair shedding and said to reduce excessive hair loss because of the antioxidants present in caffeine.
Increases hair growth since caffeine promotes blood circulation in the scalp which promotes growth.
Known to darken the hair and slowdown the early onset of grey hairs (with frequent and consistent use)*
Adds sine and dimension to the hair due to the darkening effect of the oil

*Should you have bleached/blond or dyed hair you do not want to darken, I suggest not trying this oil.

For the skin:

The caffeine helps reduce puffy and dark circles under the eye.
Tightens the skin giving you a youthful fresh glow.
Its anti-inflammatory properties is said to reduces redness in the skin and inflammation.
Said to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Known to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face.
Fights free radicals thanks to the antioxidants contained in caffeine.

Mixing Process:

: I blend coffee beans for a few seconds then place them in a coffee filter

: Close the coffee filter with string

: Cover the coffee beans with Almond oil

: Let it infuse for 2 weeks

: Comparison of infusion before and after (right after 2 weeks)

: Place the filter in a sieve the collect excess oil from the coffee beans in the filter

I have a video up on my process:

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.

If you try this please let me know how it turns out. If you make your own Infused Coffee Oil I would love to hear from you!

Thanks!

Maicurls

Shopping Day

Henna Gloss Bar Experiments

11 Replies

Hey Maicurlies,

I am a liiiittle hyped-up at the moment thanks to my latest DIY mix.

No these are not chocolates. It was also pointed out to me that they look like Reese Cups but nope they are not Reese Cups either.

I made henna gloss bars!!!

Picture a little girl doing the happy dance when she gets the gift she always wanted, that was me when the bars were set LOL! Anyways, like I mentioned these are still experiments that I need to try out so I can not claim total success yet but I can say they smell really good, hold their shape and were simple to make!

Henna gloss bars

I searched DIY/Homemade Henna Bars online and for some strange reason it is almost impossible to find recipes. I did end up finding 2 types of recipes one of which I modified a little to my liking and made a small sample (2.5 bars) by changing the ratios.

So what are they made of you ask?

Henna, Coconut oil and Cocoa butter. Yes that is it!

Making henna gloss bars

I consider them as henna glosses because there is no dye release before I form the bars but you better believe I am also looking at making full strength henna bars 🙂

For those of you that are not DIY’ers and/or are not fans of using henna powder, there are a few popular companies that sell pre-made bars such as Lush & Henna Sooq. I have not used any of them personally and therefore can not confirm how fantastic they are myself but based on what I’ve read and reviews from curlfriends, they are awesome.

I will hopefully be testing out my bars next week and will keep you lovelies updated. I also got some tips from my online curlfriends on how I can attempt to make full strength henna bars (yay) so more experiments to come.

Have you used pre-made henna bars or have you made your own? If so, how do you use it? I would love to hear from you!

Thanks

Maicurls

DIY Neem Infused Coconut Oil (Recipe 5)

21 Replies

Hi Maicurlies,

This is my second to last Infused Oil (I promise)

Infusing Neem Leaves

I already wrote about Neem and the benefits of Neem Infused Oil over here. To summarize:

It contains antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties
Eases skin irritations, rashes, itchiness and is said to help ease eczema (I am not a doctor nor a dermatologist therefore always check with a professional).
Reduces the appearance of light burns and scars
Helps reduce hair shedding & breakage
Known to help slow down premature graying & the appearance of grey hairs
Naturally and gradually darkens the hair
Provides the hair with shine & luster
Promotes hair growth.

Ingredients/tools:

Spoon
Measuring cups
Container
Sieve

1.5 cups of dried Neem Leaves (you can use powder e.g. 1/4 cup*)
2 cups of Virgin Coconut Oil (you can use any oil of choice)
8 drops grapefruit essential oil (optional – you can use any oil of choice but if you are pregnant do not use any essential oil).

*If you use the powder I would recommend putting it in a coffee filter or cheese cloth to help keep the oil and powder separate.

Mixing Process:

: Adding Neem leaves

: Infusing Neem Leaves in virgin coconut oil

: 2 weeks later

: Sieving out neem leaves

: Adding essential oil

: Neem infused Coconut Oil

I have a video up on my process:

If you try this please let me know how it turns out. If you make your own Infused Neem Oil I would love to hear from you!

Maicurls

Benefits of Infused Neem Oil

8 Replies

Good Morning Maicurlies,

This is going to be a post all about Neem, Infused Neem Oil to be specific.

Fresh Neem Leaves

As a part of my “Infused Oil Series” I also make Neem Infused Coconut Oil and will have a video & writeup of how to make it shortly. For now I just wanted to point out the reasons why I like the oil and why you might want to try it.

What is Neem?

Like a lot of Ayurvedic plants & hebrs, the Neem tree is located mainly in Asia and is most predominantly popular India. Its leaves, nuts, twigs and barks can be used for Ayurvedic purposes. Pure Neem Oil that is cold pressed from the whole nut is exceptionally rich and full of nourishing properties as well as Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, but the one “negative” aspects of pure Neem Oil is that it has a strong pungent smell. However, if you can stomach the scent, your skin and hair can benefit greatly from its nourishing properties.

I of course use an infused version of the oil since I can not make the cold pressed version at home, so mine is not as strong however, I still get benefits from infusing the leaves (it is also not as “smelly”). Neem Oil and Neem Infused Oil can be used for your hair and skin thanks to its multipurpose properties.

Where can I find Neem?

There are a few websites online that actually sell Neem powder such as Butters n Bars. If you have a local Indian store nearby look out for the Neem Hesh brand locally otherwise check the ethnic section of your super market. If you have Neem trees readily available to you, you can use the leaves and/or make your own powder by blending up dried leaves. If you do blend the leaves it might end up being a little bitty so it is best to put them in a coffee filter or cheese cloth.

If you want to use fresh leaves then you need to use the oil up after production because otherwise you WILL grow bacteria in the container. For infusing – you will need to use either dried Neem leaves or powder.

Infusing Neem Leaves

For the Skin:

Its natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties can help ease skin irritations, rashes as well as relieve itchiness (which can affect the face, body and scalp) . It is said to help ease eczema (I am not a doctor nor a dermatologist therefore always check with a professional). It can help reduce the appearance of light burns and scars – if massaged on the skin regularly and frequently.

For the Hair

The oil can help reduce hair shedding and strengthens the hair to help reduce breakage. Neem is also known to help slow down premature graying & the appearance of grey hairs due to the fact that it is known to naturally and gradually darken the hair*. It provides the hair with shine, luster, works as an excellent sealant and helps to promote hair growth.

*You will not end up with jet black hair but it can darken the hair and has a similar effect on light, bleached or blond hair and if that is not something you want then I would suggest not using this oil.

So those are the reasons why I like the oil 🙂

Stay tuned for my how to video and writeup Maicurlies!

Have you used Neem oil or Neem infused oil before? If so how do you use it and what do you think about it? I would love to hear from you.

Maicurls