Homemade Conditioning Treatments using Natural & Chemical-free Ingredients

Personally, as a hairstylist I’ve always been big on how to have healthy hair - and the right hair treatments are key to doing so. I love how you can make a real ritual and experience of them and I think it's just as important as getting a regular haircut or even shampoo and conditioning! The benefits and difference in your hair is huge if you are using the correct treatment around once a week (plus the fact that it is super relaxing!)

Whilst we regularly give our skin a sparkle using a face mask to nourish and replenish our skin what about our hair..?

I’ve been working with Aveda Hair Care for a couple of years. They use more of an 'ayurvedic' style approach to their ingredients, only using organic grown raw ingredients and showing great results. I started to break down the ingredients of the products and research exactly how each one nourishes and what the benefit of it was. I did this so that I could easily make an indulgent mask myself from more natural and chemical-free ingredients, mixed with things I could find in my kitchen cupboards... and that don’t cost the world to buy. After trying out (a lot!), here are a few of my favourites that will definitely cover most hair types!

Apple Cider Vinegar - This is personally one of my favourite kitchen cupboard beauty products. I find it so versatile and amazing for almost everything, including skin, hair, weight loss and even getting rid of hiccups! When it comes to using it on your hair its perfect for adding shine especially during winter months when hair can appear duller and drier than usual. To apply, dilute 1/4 Apple Cider Vinegar and 3/4 water in a spray bottle, spritz through mids and ends for a few minutes just after your final rinse post shampoo and conditioning. The acidic formula will naturally close down the cuticle, which helps smooth any unwanted frizz and leaving the hair with a glass like shine. ACV also alters your scalps natural PH balance , which will prevent build-up of dandruff or build-up of product if sprayed onto the scalp. If you’re looking for more of a nourishing treatment but still want the benefits of the acidic miracle then try mixing 1tbsp with 1/2 an avocado, 2 tbsp Argan oil, 10 drops rosemary oil. You can use this as pre-shampoo treatment and leave wrapped in a warm towel for up to 30 minutes, this will give your hair more of a silkier "treatment" feel.

Avocados - Besides tasting great on toast they work absolute wonders for frizzy and unruly hair. Being packed with good fatty acids, magnesium, Vitamins A and E, avocado will help to smooth and hydrate dry and unruly hair. The oils in avocados are one of the few that can penetrate the cuticle and actually moisturize hair without weighing it down or leaving a greasy residue. For best results use as a pre shampoo treatment for up to 30 mins wrapped in an old towel or a washable shower cap (as it can get quite messy!). Avocados can be mixed with various things, depending on what your hair is lacking. If your hair is damaged and needs more protein.. try adding a little sour cream, smashing the avocado with this also loosens the formula making it easier to apply. If your hair is dry/dull or even a little sun damaged mix the avocado down with a little honey - this will smell great too!

Eggs - Eggs are a superfood when it comes to packing protein into our daily diet, but they also do the exact same thing for our hair! Using eggs on wet hair as a pre shampoo treatment will help to nourish hair that is chemically damaged or burnt out from over heat styling. This one ingredient is almost a 3 hair type treatment. I’ve found that just using egg yolk mixed with a little olive oil is best for dry brittle hair as that contains most of the fats and proteins. It’s great for the more unruly hair types, as the fats will also help to weigh the heavier hair down. Be very careful using the yolk alone on greasy hair though, as this will only add to your problem. In addition to the yolk, egg white contains bacteria-eating enzymes when applied nearer the root area which will help with hair that is on the greasier side. Using the whole egg diluted down with a little olive oil is great for normal hair types and will benefit from all the natural goodness. While this is a great ingredient for treating hair, it is still an egg so be careful when rinsing and make sure it's on the cooler side to prevent it from heating and cooking!

Honey - This one is great for hair that is dried out from over exposure from the elements, such as too much sun or central heating. Honey is an anti-Oxidant and humectant - which means it will help your hair retain moisture. This one is super nourishing when mixing 1 part honey with 1 part coconut oil. Apply on wet hair and leave for up to an hour. Be careful with applying to much on the root area as you may find it on the heavier side. Shampoo and condition this one out and you will notice instant results, leaving the hair cleansed (from the anti-bacterial properties), nourished and sparkling.

Turmeric - This is one of Aveda's miracle ingredients for their products which are well known for thinning hair. Turmeric is proven to be one of the most effective nutritional supplements in existence and is also a superhero for hair and scalp health. Turmeric has a natural way of stimulating the scalp - assisting thinning hair to be stronger and healthier. This ones more of a scalp treatment that you could use alongside with one of the above on the ends. For best results use once weekly, mixing with one of the lighter oils such as jojoba oil or sweet almond oil as to not leave hair feeling greasy. Mix in 1 tsp turmeric to 2 tbsp chosen oil (this will be a gritty consistency) and exfoliate onto wet hair, massaging in small circular movements, then leave for 15-30 minutes before washing out. It will leave your scalp feeling invigorated and ready for the new healthier hair to grow through!

Sandalwood - This one is great for an everyday treatment on dry hair to prevent flyways. Mix a few drops of sandalwood with a lighter oil. Heat the oil by rubbing it between your palms, then smooth through mids and ends - it will leave your hair glossy and smooth.

Article Written By Talia Cooper-Gray - Organic Hair Stylist & Colourist | @tals_cg_hair