Hair Care

Guide to using Essential Oils {Beauty Products}

Swathy · January 28, 2012 · 4 Comments

So, as I promised to you all that I shall be spending the DIY series of this entire month on my exploits using Essential Oils, I thought it would be prudent and informative to give a little theoretical background on how should an EO be used. And, we shall have practicals from next week 🙂

Skin and Hair Care

Essential Oils are very concentrated so they have to be diluted to be used in the regular routines otherwise they can cause skin sensitivity and many such problems. So, what is right proportion to dilute the EO’s when using them in your skin or hair care routines. 1-2% at max. Do not exceed this ratio at any costs.

Well, personally, I used like way too much of EO in one of my oils and when I applied the oil on my face, my face burnt for a few minutes before it settled. So, beware of this and you really don’t want to go through that.

How does EO help the skin and hair?.

EO’s gets absorbed very easily into the skin as compared to anything else because of their small molecular size. That’s why concentrated doses are pretty harmful.

The Essential Oil Desk Reference, 4th Edition tells us that “essential oils are lipid soluble and can penetrate cell membranes bringing an increase of 21% oxygen to the cells within 20 minutes of application.” [Source]

Ok, yes, they increase the oxygen supply and improve the blood circulation consequently and that is why more nutrients are delivered to the cells. It also improves the absorption capacity of the nutrients. Not only that, they are rich in anti-oxidants and can fight the free radicals. And, the EO’s can also prevent cancer. So, you see they are pretty much effective in their own way but then excess of everything is bad.

And, now, the fun part begins – we shall make perfume next week 🙂

My Hair Diaries – January 2012

Swathy · January 24, 2012 · 10 Comments

Hopefully, you have read the “About Me” page I had put up a few days back and are aware of all my complaints with my hair. I was thinking that I shall maintain an online monthly journal entry in which I shall catalog my entire month’s hair care routine – all products I use, all my DIY’s related to hair and everything I do to my hair.

My Goal – ” To keep my hair soft and making it more shiny and trying to keep it conditioned and hydrated as much as possible.”

What did I do in January?

My hair had become pretty much rough and sun-exposed and had not be subjected to a trim since almost 4 months, I had to get a hair cut. So, I went ahead and got that done. I didn’t really lose a lot of length but the cut makes my crown look more full.
I incorporated Rosemary Essential Oil in my hair care routine. If you are not already aware, Rosemary Essential Oil is very helpful in promoting hair growth. I add the Essential Oil to my hair oil. 3 drops per treatment. I do try to do the Hot Oil Treatment but never quite succeed so I just heat up my oil a bit and apply it to my scalp and cover my hair with a shower cap to preserve a little heat.
Shampoo – Dove Nourishing Oil Care Shampoo which keeps my hair soft and doesn’t dry my hair.
Conditioner – Wella Kolestint after-color Shine Treatment
Leave-in Treatment – Biotique Bio Almond & Cashew Fresh Replenishing Serum + Dove Nourishing Oil Care Vita Oil Serum
Hair Oil – Groundnut Oil + Apricot Oil (homemade blend)
Combs – The Body Shop Detangling Comb, Lass Cosmetics Neem Wood Comb, The Body Shop Wooden Quill Brush
DIY – Homemade Green Tea Hair Spray
I always sleep on satin pillows. It allows the hair to glide easily and doesn’t suck out the moisture out of the hair.
I simply ignored the deep conditioning 🙁

Hope this helps 🙂

Green Tea Hair Spray {DIY}

Swathy · January 18, 2012 · 5 Comments

I have been dying to make a hair spray at home because of many many reasons. First, it is free of chemicals and I can use anything I want which will improve the shine, impart a beautiful fragrance and help in its growth. And, I did give this a try. I am not really sure of the results but if not good, they wouldn’t turn out to be bad, that’s for sure. Green Tea is a versatile ingredient with amazing benefits for hair, skin and health. So, this can double up as a toner too 🙂

Ingredients

2 tablespoon Green Tea Leaves
Distilled Water
1 tablespoon Glycerin
1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
25 drops Rosemary Essential Oil (EO)

Method

Prepare green tea and set it aside to cool down
In a spray bottle (100ml), add glycerin and ACV
Add the Rosemary EO
Pour the green tea in spray bottle to fill it (I used the Body Shop Aqua Lily Body Mist bottle)
Voila!!! Your hair spray is ready and you can use it as a toner too as all the ingredients in it are skin-friendly

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PS: Btw, do you like the new layout??? Hoping that it doesn’t hurt your eyes!!! If it does, do tell me. And, another thing was that don’t forget to check out the “About Me“ page 🙂 And, don’t forget to drop your comments!!!