Quick and Easy Bentonite Clay Hair Rinse For Natural Hair

I won't lie, bentonite clay mask treatments are a labor of love. All that pouring and mixing plus the time it takes to apply and dry can be just too much work to do every wash day. So I started "clay rinsing." It's basically the same exact recipe as my Bentonite Clay Mask Treatment---but its consistency is thinner and can be done in one step in the shower. Which is perfect when you're pressed for time but still want your curls to pop! Here's what I used:

Related: DIY Bentonite Clay Mask Treatment

Ingredients:

2 oz Bentonite Clay (I use Aztec Healing Clay)
4 oz Aloe Vera Juice (I like this one)
1 oz Apple Cider Vinegar (Bragg is the best!)
2 tbsp Glycerin (These are good choices)
Plastic bottle with a lid (Applicator bottles like this one are awesome)

 
And here's how I mix it:

1. I add the clay to my applicator bottle using a funnel. I like to use an applicator bottle with a cap so that it's easier to mix.
2. Next add the apple cider vinegar. It will bubble and foam up---Don't be alarmed!
3. Add your aloe vera juice and glycerin. Secure the lid of your applicator bottle and shake it gently! Your mix should be thin, but not runny. If it's too thick, add more liquid and shake. If it's too thin, add more clay and shake again

I like to clay rinse after a pre-shampoo treatment but before I deep condition (or co-wash if I'm being really lazy pressed for time) because while the clay will cleanse your scalp and give you AHA-mazing curl definition, but it can also make your curls feel a little stiff. Running a little conditioner through your hair after the clay rinse handles that situation! I did a clay rinse this week and I'll share all the dets in tomorrow's #washdayexperience.

Are you clay/mud rinsing? What's your favorite recipe?

Besitos!
KLP

Green Tea Infused Oil Rinse for Natural Hair

My love affair with green tea rinses began when my hair was relaxed, I was suffering with  postpartum shedding, and I just wanted a way to slow down the shedding. You can read about my many adventures with green tea rinses here, here, and here.

RELATED: Herbal Tea Rinses to Combat Shedding

I don't shed like crazy anymore, but in honor of tomorrow's #WashDayExperience themes, I decided to experiment with tea again. This time---for a Green Tea Infused Oil Rinse!

How I made it:

1. Place 3 green tea bags in a glass mason jar. (I used Celestial Seasonings Green Tea)
2. Cover with 1 cup of warmed extra virgin coconut oil (or other carrier oil of your choice).
3. Bring a pot with 2-3 inches of water to the brink of boiling. Turn off heat. Place the jar in the the water for 15-20 minutes. 
4. Carefully remove jar from hot water. Cover with lid and steep overnight. 

And here are semi-scientific reasons green tea oil rinses rock:

• Tannins- is an astringent compound that binds to and precipitates proteins in plants. The tannins in tea can attached to the hair shaft making the hair appear fuller. Tannins have antibacterial properties that can help soothe itchy/flaky scalp issues that would increase shedding. The tannins also tighten pores, which better protects your scalp from excessive oil and dirt while strengthening your strands to prevent damage.
• Caffeine- Green tea has 35mg of caffeine. Caffeine is known in the hair world for stimulating the scalp, increasing blood flow, and thus allowing your scalp to get more oxygen and more "food."
• Pantheol, Vitamin C and Vitamin E- Pantheol, which is found in tons of hair products, acts as a humectant, drawing moisture into the hair and helps prevent split ends while conditioning. Vitamin C is known as an antioxidant thought to help heal the scalp. Vitamin E also acts as an antioxidant that aids effective circulation in the scalp due to increased oxygen uptake in blood.
• Extra Virgin Coconut Oil- Coconut oil has been shown in studies to be the only oil that prevents protein loss while helping hair retain moisture. It reduces hair porosity making it spectacular for chemically relaxed hair which is typically higher porosity. Washing your hair can cause hygral fatigue, which is a fancy way of saying damage caused by frequent swelling (absorbing moisture) and shrinking (losing moisture) of hair fiber.

RELATED: Why I'm in love with the Coco (Coconut Oil of course!) 

To apply the rinse to my scalp, I used a narrow tip applicator bottle (Like this one of these) in the shower after conditioning. I let it sit for a few minutes then rinsed. My hair felt crazy moisturized strong but soft. (Don't worry, I'll give you all the details in tomorrow's #WashDayExperience!}

Have you ever tried a green tea rinse for you hair? What's your favorite recipe?

Besitos!
KLP

Herbal Tea Rinses To Combat Shedding

I am a tea rinse junky. I've tired over a dozen tea blends, but green, black, and chamomile are definitely my favorites. When I'm consistent in my tea rinse use, I definitely see less less hair clogging your shower. Plus I've noticed that my scalp is clear and free of dryness. Here's how I use herbal tea rinses to combat shedding:


Chamomile Peppermint Aloe Tea

Got Itchy Flaky Scalp and Shedding

Why It Works:
Chamomile soothes your scalp and conditions your hair. Peppermint's cooling sensation increases blood circulation in the scalp. Aloe Vera Gel is known to stimulates the production of new hair and may even lessen the effects of Alopecia. If you suffer from a itchy and inflamed scalp, this is the combo that you want to reach for. (Tip: I heart Aloe Vera Gel in my tea rinses because it gives the mix a thicker consistency so I don't have to worry about it running all over the place!) 

Nourishing Green Rosemary Tea
Got Dry Scalp and Shedding

Why It Works:
Rosemary acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory to soothe itchiness. Green tea is an astringent packed with caffeine known to help increase oxygen to your hair follicles. Glycerin is a natural moisturizing humectant. 

Black Eucalyptus Coconut
Got Breakage and Shedding 

Why It Works:
Black tea has about 55 mg of caffeine per serving versus green tea's 35mg of caffeine. Traditional drip coffee has 100 mg of caffeine. Caffeine is known in the hair world for stimulating the scalp, increasing blood flow, and thus allowing your scalp to get more oxygen and more "food." Eucalyptus is antimicrobial, revitalizing, and clarifying. Coconut oil has been shown in studies to be the only oil that prevents protein loss while helping hair retain moisture. It reduces hair porosity making it spectacular for chemically relaxed hair which is typically higher porosity.

Do you tea rinse? 

Besitos!
KLP 

[Review] CC's Naturals Happy Hair Tea {Keyda}

CC's Natural Happy Hair Tea

Price: $6.00

Ingredients: Hibiscus, Lavender, Green Tea & Nettle Leaf

• Hibiscus Flower Prevents hair loss, Enhances growth of hair, Discourages split ends, Thickens hair, and Prevents premature graying of hair
• Nettle Leaf counteract hair loss, prevent and cure dandruff, reduce oily secretions and improve the quality of dry, lifeless hair and stimulate the scalp
• Lavender helps stimulate growth and balance oil production
• Green Tea Stimulates Hair growth, soothes Dandruff and psoriasis, As well as strengthens and conditions

Directions: Add 3 tablespoons or 1 large tea bag to a large Pyrex glass cup or bowl and fill with boiling water and cover. Steep for about 30 minutes. When the tea is warm, apply to scalp and hair and massage thoroughly. When pouring tea onto hair and scalp, hold a bowl at the end of hair strands to catch the tea and reapply. Repeat several times. Leave In or rinse out if desired. If you use a conditioner, use this tea rinse after you condition your hair. And then move on to your final styling regimen...

My Thoughts: CC's Naturals is becoming one of my fave/"go-to" spots for the different teas I use for my hair. This is my second tea mixture from them and I LOVE IT! The price is reasonable for a good product. So, I always do my tea rinse after my conditioner. Honestly, this specific tea does not require a smoothing treatment, I do it out of habit. However, my hair feels soft yet strong with this rinse. The smell is not super strong, so it does not overwhelm you. I was concerned about it being "red" because I know other teas (i.e. black tea) can color your hair naturally over time. However, I have noticed nothing odd with my hair, at least nothing I would not like :P . My hair does have a nice auburn brown color too it, which honestly, I don't quite remember having until after I began using this tea. But it could be the sun from summer and a bunch of other things. Lol.

All in all... I really like this tea rinse and have noticed consistent hair growth and my scalp is sooooooo much healthier (i.e. little to no dandruff).

Have you tried a BOMB.COM tea rinse!?

xoxo
Keyda

[Review] CC's Naturals Lavender & Chamomile Tea

Price: $6.00 (plus shipping)

Purchased at: www.ccsnatural.com

Promises and Ingrediants:

• Chamomile- Works as a great natural conditioner
• Lavender helps stimulate growth and balance oil production
• Green Tea Stimulates Hair growth, soothes Dandruff and psoriasis, As well as strengthens and conditions.
• Peppermint stimulates your hair follicles and promotes hair growth, used as a moisturizer for the hair shaft, Helps rid the scalp of dryness and itchiness as well..

Directions: Add 3 tablespoons or 1 large tea bag to a large pyrex glass cup or bowl and fill with boiling water and cover. Steep for about 30 minutes. When the tea is warm, apply to scalp and hair and massage thoroughly. When pouring tea onto hair and scalp, hold a bowl at the end of hair strands to catch the tea and reapply. Repeat several times. Leave In or rinse out if desired. If you use a conditioner, use this tea rinse after you condition your hair. You can also put the tea into a spray and spray onto your hair as a refresher. And then move on to your final styling regimen...


My Thoughts: I personally steep the tea for about one or two hours before beginning my wash day. I have not officially tried steeping my tea overnight, but that is a possibility! I love LOVE this tea! Shout out to Jen at www.justgrowalready.com for posting about this in her regimen! It smells delicious and I noticed softness, growth and less shedding while using this tea regularly. Even when I do not place conditioner over the tea in my hair, my hair is never too rough or hard with this tea. So, you do not necessarily need to use a smoothing conditioner but it just adds a lil extra bang! I will be trying other products from CC's naturals!


Let me know if you try it!

Muahz xoxo
Keyda