2011 Haircare Challenge: Simple Effective Ayurvedic Elements For Regimen Building

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This post is for those that are interested in going the Ayurvedic route for the 2011 Healthy Hair challenge. - Ayurvedic regimens typically include cleansing the hair with herbal infusions, and conditioning the hair with nourishing oils. The result is hair that is extremely healthy, thick, and full of body. Ayurvedic regimens can be as simple [incorporating a few elements], or as complex [following a strict regimen, cutting out commercial products] as you choose. 

The benefit of adhering to an exclusive Ayurvedic regimen is that you will be using products free of silicones, preservatives, synthetic ingredients and harsh sulfates. I can honestly say that my hair thrived under these conditions. The drawback to practicing an exclusive Ayurvedic regimen is the amount of time it takes to prepare treatments. However, you can also decide to incorporate highly effective elements of Ayurveda into your regimen, such as Henna treatments, Coconut pre-shampoo conditioning treatments, and herbal pre-shampoo conditioning treatments. These inclusions are extremely beneficial for the promotion of healthy, thick, vibrant hair; yet require less time commitment than an exclusive Ayurvedic regimen. 

Want to include simple elements of Ayurveda without committing to an entire Ayurvedic regimen?

While there are many ways to use the products mentioned in this post, the following products are Ayurvedic treatments that have been the most effective during my hair journey. These products also include numerous traditional Ayurvedic herbs which is a plus for those that aren't into complex hair regimens which requires the purchase of tons of different ingredients. Get the benefit of Ayurvedic herbs with only a few easy to find products.

You will need:

Vatika Oil: Vatika Oil is comprised of Coconut Oil and infused with traditional Ayurvedic Herbs [Brahmi, Neem & Amla just to name a few] Coconut Oil strengthens hair at the roots, promotes hair growth, and actually penetrates the shaft to repair areas of the hair damaged from protein loss. - Vatika Oil has been a staple in my home for the past two years! It makes my hair extremely soft, shiny, and manageable.

Kalpi Tone: Kalpi Tone works to strengthen hair at the root, strengthen the hair shaft, and promote hair growth. Kalpi Tone leaves your hair noticeably stronger, softer, and full of body. Those that wish to keep their regimen simple will also appreciate that this powder includes other herbs beneficial to hair care [like amla, maka, hibiscus, and methi just to name a few]. Kalpi Tone is hands down one of my favorite pre-packaged herbal hair products by Hesh.

Henna: Think of Henna like a natural protein treatment. Henna works to stop breakage by strengthening the hair shaft. Henna also works to seal and repair the cuticle which makes for more manageable hair, a plus when it comes to detangling. Although Henna is mainly known as a mega strengthener, Henna has conditioning properties as well, which leaves the hair shiny, soft and full of body.

How to use these products in your regimen: 
You may notice there are two pre-shampoo conditioning formulas here. You can stick to one, or alternate weekly.  

Vatika Oil/Pre Shampoo Treatment: Once weekly [on washday], oil unwashed hair liberally with Coconut Oil and cover hair with a plastic cap for about 45min-1hr. This is known as a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment. Pre-shampooing will help ensure the hair stays moisturized even after shampooing with a product that contains sulfates [which is usually drying to hair]. Another benefit to this quick and easy pre-shampoo treatment is that it also works to strengthen and nourish hair follicles; preventing hair fall and promoting hair growth. 

*Coconut Oil tends to solidify in cooler climates; to use just run the bottle under warm water to bring it back to a liquid consistency. 

**Vatika Oil is safe to use on relaxed and transitioning hair alike.

Lock in the moisture with Vatika Oil: You can use this oil to seal the moisture in after using your favorite moisturizer. Add a dime size amount of oil to your hands, rub hands together to distribute oil, then apply to the entire length of the hair paying special attention to the tips/ends.

Kalpi Tone/Herbal Pre Conditioning Treatment: Once weekly [on washday], add 3-4 tablespoons of the herbal product into a clean container. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture is a thick, muddy consistency. Apply the mixture liberally [as you would a relaxer] to unwashed hair. Cover, and allow to sit for 20-30 minutes. To rinse out, add a few generous size dollops of cheap conditioner [like V05, or Suave] to your hair and work it through in a gentle, massaging motion. Rinse immediately, as the tiny flecks of herbal product should rinse clean with the aid of the conditioner.

*Kalpi Tone is safe to use on relaxed and transitioning hair alike. 

Henna Treatment: You will need the following:
200G Henna [two boxes for thick hair] [100G/one box for shorter length hair]
1/2 cup Hello Hydration Conditioner
1 cup Lustrasilk Mango & Shea Butter Conditioner
1/2 cup of Coconut Oil added to mixture before applying the Henna

Check out this video for info on how to mix and apply Henna

I recommend the following brands of Henna: Jamila, Nupur, and Dulhan. If you have relaxed or transitioning hair, please use Body Art Quality Henna only [like Jamila]. You can also purchase Henna at your local Indian Grocer, or {here}.

Are you interested in an exclusive Ayurvedic hair regimen?

Check out the following posts which includes recipes for cleansing, conditioning, and moisturizing your hair. 

Go Ayurvedic Part 1

Go Ayurvedic Part 2

Where to find the products mentioned in this post:

All products mentioned above can be found in your local Indian market. I recommend going to one of the larger markets for a better variety of products. If you are having trouble finding an Indian grocery store in your area, you can also purchase many of the products mentioned via vendors on Amazon or The Indian Food Store [link].  

Questions are always encouraged! You can leave a comment in the comment area [I will check comments nightly], and also ask questions during the two check-ins I will have monthly.

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Going Straight For The Winter? - Here Are My Must-Have Hair Products

Blow Dryers & Irons by Babyliss
Hair Care at drugstore.com

The products that I use when I wear my hair straight are completely different than the products I use when I wear my hair in it's naturally curly state. These products consistently give shine, body, elasticity and strength as well as moisture to last me until my next straightening session. As you can see, I use five products in my hair before pressing it. It may sound like a lot of product but each serves a specific function that I have been unable to find in any one product exclusively.

[may length check]

Even though I use what some may consider to be an insane amount of products in one styling session, my hair has tons of body and is build-up/residue free. The key to using numerous products and still maintaining body is controlling the amount of product used. I use about a dime to quarter size amount of each product on my entire head.

Here is a little more about why I use each product:

Fermodyl 619: Especially formulated for coarse, curly hair; Fermodyl helps correct porosity and elasticity issues. This is extremely beneficial if you use heat regularly, as regular thermal styling tends to lead towards overly porous hair, and excess combing/detangling can lead to loss of elasticity. Because Fermodyl is formulated with Lactic Acid, it also makes detangling a breeze, which can help cut down on damage from combing! - I use this product on my wet hair prior to adding my leave-in.

Sebastian Potion #9: This is hands down my favorite leave-in when I choose to wear my hair straight. This product leaves my hair shiny, soft, and hydrated without the waxy residue. This leave-in is formulated as a wearable styler which means that your hair will still have movement/body when wearing it in free flowing hair styles. - I apply this product AFTER the Fermodyl 619

Frederick Fekkai Glossing Cream: Definitely earned it's keep amongst the holy grail products. I absolutely love this because it adds extra softness, shine and body; something that is desperately needed during those harsh winter months.- I apply this product after the Sebastian Potion #9

Aveda Brilliant Damage Protection: This is by far the best heat protectant I have used to date. Yes it is a tad on the expensive side, however it protects the hair quite nicely while imparting a sleekness to the hair that is second to no other heat protectant on the market [in my opinion]. - I apply this after the Glossing Cream

Chi Silk Infusion: I use this product to further enhance sheen and seal in the moisture from the aforementioned products. This helps seal the cuticles keeping the ends of your hair nice and smooth ensuring a nice sleek finish. - I apply this product AFTER I blow-dry my hair but BEFORE I press it.

Do I moisturize my hair while it is straight?

For the first 1-2 weeks no. I find that with using the products mentioned above, my hair stays soft and hydrated for up to two weeks. If I add any product to my hair, it will be Coconut Oil added to the ends only to lubricate them and keep them from splitting and/or snagging. I add Coconut Oil to my pressed hair about once every 3-4 days.

If I leave my hair straight for longer than 2 weeks, I then use a thicker moisturizer like Burdock Root Butter by Qhemet's or Whipped Pudding by Oyin.

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Regimen Building: Go Ayurvedic! Part 1

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One of my favorite and most effective regimen's thus far [and unfortunately most complex] has been my Ayurvedic Regimen. I can honestly say it greatly contributed to the growth, thickness, and overall health of my hair. I maintained a strict Ayurvedic regimen for the first six months of my hair journey, however due to time restraints, I had to simplify things a bit more.

Ayurvedic regimens are effective, and easily customizable to suit your hair needs. Most importantly, the ingredients are inexpensive and all natural. I have decided to break this post into several parts as not to overwhelm/bore anyone out there. In this installment, we will discuss the basic ingredients found in most Ayurvedic Products, as well as their benefits. I will also talk about Shampoo methods and list a few formulations for specialty treatments that have worked wonders for me. Part 2 will focus more on conditioning & moisturizing methods, and I will also list a few more specialty treatment formulations as well!

Here are some herbs/ingredients you should get familiar with:
Bhringraj - Treats hair loss, premature graying, and also acts as a conditioner
Neem - Is an antibacterial powerhouse, it helps correct scalp issues, as well as promote healthy hair growth
Brahmi - Strengthens hair at the roots, helps relieve dandruff, also purported to thicken hair
Amla - Stimulates hair growth, has wonderful conditioning properties, strengthens hair at the roots
Shikakai - Acts as a natural cleanser, and mild conditioner, whilst promoting hair growth
Aritha [Reetha] - Natural cleansing agent
Methi [Fenugreek] - Prevents hair loss, promotes hair growth, helps strengthen hair shaft, light protein
Hibiscus - Conditions hair, promotes healthy hair growth, prevents hair loss, thickens hair

Shampoo:

Some shampoo's contain harsh sulfates and surfactants that strips the hair of it's natural oils, leaving it dry, brittle, and lifeless. If you are building an Ayurvedic regimen, try some of these options instead: 

Shampoo Bars: I absolutely love Ayurvedic "Poo Bars". Look for bars that are formulated with vegetable oils/nut oils, and skip the bars that are loaded with surfactants [these are usually added to help with cleansing and lather] often these can leave your hair feeling drier than the Sahara. Shampoo Bars are easy to use, pretty inexpensive compared to a bottle of shampoo, and will leave your hair much softer to boot. Because these bars are au-naturale they have a tendency to produce a very mild-lather, so don't expect all the sudsy goodness like that of your normal shampoo.

I Recommend:
The Chagrin Valley Ayurvedic Shampoo Bar was my favorite; it's formulated with Bhringraj, Amla, Hibiscus, Aritha, Mango Butter, Coconut Milk, and a slew of other hair-loving ingredients. A second favorite that can be purchased at your local Indian Grocer, is Godrej Shikakai Shampoo Bar; this is more of a basic bar [but stellar none-the-less] with Bhringraj, Amla, & Shikakai. 
How Often?
I used Shampoo Bars every-other week
Tips:
Because shampoo bars aren't loaded with additional chemicals, it can be hard to remove product residue/buildup. I recommend soaking wet, dirty hair in a Clarifying ACV mixture [1/2 cup ACV + 1 cup water, spritz hair with mixture, then cover with plastic cap] for about 20 minutes prior to shampooing, as this will gently clarify the hair.

Cleansing Mixtures: I will admit that these were somewhat difficult to use at first, not because they weren't effective, but because I had a hard time wrapping my brain around using powder and water as my shampoo du jour. These leave your hair feeling soft, conditioned, and strong! 

I Recommend:
Mix #1 [my favorite]
2 Tablespoons of Amla
2 Tablespoons of Shikakai
1 Tablespoon of Hibiscus 

Mix #2
2 Tablespoons Amla
2 Tablespoons Shikakai
1 Tablespoon Neem Powder

For each formulation, mix with enough water to make a thick paste. Apply evenly on wet, freshly pre-conditioned hair [see the pre-shampoo treatment below], and massage gently massage mixture on to scalp. Allow to sit on hair for about 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cool water. Follow up with a basic light ACV rinse to remove any additional oils/residue left behind. [1/2 cup of ACV + 2 cups water] 

How Often:

2x monthly. I would alternate between these cleansing mixtures and the Shampoo Bars. 

Tips:
For maximum softness, I recommend doing Pre-Shampoo treatments before applying any type cleansing mixture [because the Shikaki has a tendency to be a tad bit drying]. Simply oil your hair thoroughly with Coconut Oil, cover with a plastic cap, and allow to sit for about an hour [or more if possible], then rinse w/lukewarm water.

Specialty Treatments:

Neem Oil + Tea Tree Treatment: Perfect for those with psoriasis, and issues with dandruff. Neem Oil is packed full of antiviral, antifungal, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties, therefore making it the perfect herbal solution for curing scalp ailments. I am warning you all now; this stuff has a stench that is out-of-this-world. However, it works :-)

Try It:  

In a large bowl, mix 1/4 cup of Neem Oil with 6 drops of Tea Tree Oil. Pour oil mixture over head, massage into scalp, and cover for about an hour. - Use this treatment on dry, unwashed hair.

Coconut Milk Protein Treatment: This is an easy, inexpensive way to do an all natural protein treatment at home. The nutrients in Coconut Milk encourages healthy hair growth, and also helps strengthen hair.
Try It:
In a large bowl, mix one can of Coconut Milk, 4 tbsp of honey and 4 tbsp of Olive Oil. Carefully pour mixture over head, and cover for about 30 minutes. - Use this treatment on dry, unwashed hair. 

Hibiscus Rinse: Doing a final rinse with Hibiscus Petal Powder leaves your hair feeling soft and conditioned [from the mucilage], it also makes detangling woes, and excess hair loss a thing of the past. 

Try It:

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, then remove from heat. Add 4 tablespoons Hibiscus petals and allow to steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain liquid through sieve, or cheesecloth and discard petals. Pour mixture over your head after rinsing out conditioner. Massage thoroughly, then rinse with cool water after about 5 minutes.

Henna Treatment: Henna can be used for correcting porosity issues, as a protein treatment, in some cases to loosen your curl pattern. Click here for a tutorial on how to use Henna. 

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