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Homemade Vanilla Oil {DIY}

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Vanilla Pods

So, I have a very interesting DIY today 🙂 And, this one is making me pretty happy. I just hope the results turn out as good. I was on a trip to Kerela last year and I got vanilla pods from there (only 6)!! I was entirely unsure of how to use them. And, then, I decided to make some toner or some skin care product but discarded the idea. Then, I checked out online and I needed Vodka to make a perfume from that so I decided on this finally. I infused the oil with vanilla pods. 

Ingredients
  • Vanilla Pods
  • Carrier Oil (I preferred almond oil though apricot oil is better, I read somewhere)
  • Knife
Method

Split the vanilla bean pods length wise and cut them into small pieces
Put them in a clean glass jar (preferably sterilized and entirely dry)
Pour oil over the pods. Store it in a dark warm place for a month or two. Occasionally, take it out and shake to maximize the infusion.
My Notes

The color of the oil is already dark in just half a day of infusion. Compare with the second snap above.
  • I did this yesterday night so the results will be out in one or two months when I shall put up a post to tell you about how it went. 
  • While you are infusing, you have two choices – either put the glass jar in a dark place or in sunlight. I wasn’t sure which one to choose so I chose dark place as I don’t really get much of direct sunlight here. 
  • One more thing I goofed up on was to use almond oil. Actually, I read somewhere that apricot oil is good at absorbing plant essences so if you are making infusions, use apricot oil instead. And, I do have apricot oil. I forgot all about that and remembered it the moment I finished pouring almond oil. Anyways, I shall remember this the next time.  
  • I am so excited about it that I have shaken it 2-3 times till now 😀
  • The smell is divine. I can’t explain it. And, we are talking about real vanilla smell, not the food flavorings.
What do you think?

Hair Textures {Hair Care}

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Long back, I had discussed about different hair types. Continuing in that series, I want to talk about the texture of hair. Type of hair and texture of hair are two different terms, though not necessarily used as such. According to my interpretation of these terms, type of hair describes the general condition of the hair – whether they are dry, oily, etc. where as texture describes the feel of your hair.
What does it mean by feel?
Well, your hair feels soft, rough or fine??? That’s what we call the texture of the hair. Now, any hair type may be broadly categorized to have fine, normal or rough hair. Your hair care routine should not only depend on your hair types but also its texture. Once you identify the type of your hair, the second step is to identify the texture.
Rough Hair
  • Thick Diameter of the hair strands
  • May be damaged
  • Dehydrated and under-nourished
  • Feels straw-like when touched
  • Frizzy and unmanageable
  • Needs a lot of care to make it look healthy
  • Prone to dryness
  • Lacks shine
Curly hair is generally likely to be a little rough. And, if you have subjected your hair to lot of heat and other chemical treatments, your hair is likely to be rough. 
    Fine Hair
    • Thin diameter of the hair strands
    • Are not damaged basically
    • Generally feel soft and silky when touched
    • May or may not be frizzy and damaged
    • May be more or less oily
    • Have a tendency to go flat and limp
    • Needs lot of volume and hydration as opposed to nourishment
    • May be shiny
    • Is weaker than rough hair because of less strength
    • High on maintenance as it doesn’t hold in any particular style for long
    Oily hair is more or less fine. Or, if you feel your hair has no volume, your hair is likely to be fine. They are not that difficult to care for but do need maintenance to make them look bouncy and lively. So, your hair care products and routine should depend on whether your hair is fine or rough.

    Is your hair fine or rough?

    Image Courtesy: Google

    Are eggs good for hair or not? {Your Opinion}

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    I came across a very interesting article a few days back and I wanted your opinion on it. The article goes somewhat in the fashion that eggs do not really do anything for the hair in the terms of providing nutrition and nourishment. They only end up coating the hair strands and that is all there to it. In fact, to get the advantage of eggs, it is advised to eat them and not apply them on the hair. And, also, the size of the protein molecules in the egg are too big to be absorbed by the hair. So, whatever you think egg treatment is doing to your hair is just a temporary and superficial result as compared to permanent treatment. [Please read the entire article here.]
    I must say that the argument that the size of protein molecules being too large might be true and I have no idea about that. I don’t know the source of this scientific fact so I am not going to say anything for or against it. But, in my personal experience, I have used egg and yogurt mainly to treat or deep condition my hair. And, even though egg smells pretty bad, the results have always been very fabulous and I can also go to the extent of asserting that egg does help the hair to grow. It may be possible that egg protein molecules are large enough to be absorbed by the hair follicles (I have no idea about that too).