A “Natural” Experiment – An Alternative Approach On Haircare

----By Kylie Tang----

You had your hair dyed, curled or bleached last year, and you just made another color……You deserve to be the beautiful one! Yet your silk-like and good-looking hair seems to be an old story. I was addicted to various hair colors and styles, and it resulted in an enormous demand for haircare products. Some girls have tried the highest-rated products yet their efforts were in vain. “Which bottle shall I purchase next?” is often asked by girls with dried-out hair resulted by excessive, harsh style treatments.

Why did you buy the shampoos that you purchased recently? We bought them with thousands of reasons but we seem to be never satisfied with their haircare performances.

Attempt natural haircare, as you see the old ones might not be the best for you. How far are you willing to go for less-chemical products? Spend some months on the trial.

Before The Experiment, Understand “Shampoo”

The word “Shampoo” is derived from “champo” (Hindi), which means to massage or press. As early as the 1500s people combined soapberries and herbs to keep their hair clean. Shampoo has evolved over the years and was identified to use a couple times a week at most. Shampoo, in the old days, was recognized with a unitary usage to remove dirt from the scalp. Nobody needed to get functions like hair conditioning, moisturizing, color conservation or with good texture. On the contrary, now most of us desire a multi-purpose shampoo to be the very initial step in haircare, to cure our overstrained hair.

Less Is More

You ought to experiment an additive-free shampoo. It doesn’t mean to use a very primordial (some can’t even produce the lather) shampoo. Jessa Blades, a natural beauty artist, suggests avoiding:

-          Parabens (A preservative)

-          Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (A lather-producing agent)

-          Petrolatum (Creates shiny hair)

-          Propylene Glycol (Hair becomes smooth)

-          Dimethicone (Lubricates the surface of the hair), etc.

Using Dimethicone or not in haircare is still a controversial issue. To me, I find the disadvantages of Dimethicone outweigh its benefits. I value a shampoo that prepares hair for the next treatments. Yet, Dimethicone adds another layer to one’s hair, builds up and makes the hair heavy. I highly recommend a shampoo that simply clarifies the scalp (or even removes Dimethicone). Clean up, and that’s enough.

John Masters Organics Bare Unscented Shampoo (All Hair Types)

Try John Masters Organics Bare Unscented Shampoo. It features no Dimethicone, SLS and even fragrance. Organic extracts of Chamomile, White Tea and Jojoba oil gently cleanse your hair.

Melvita Expert Repairing Shampoo (For Dry and Damaged Hair)

I also like Melvita Expert Repairing Shampoo. It’s sulfate-free with good properties of Rose Hip, Camellia and Calendula Flower Oils. If you are concerned about your dry, damaged hair, let Melvita help you.

Make Use Of Good Herbs

We may not understand what the ingredients on the labels of shampoos are about, but it seems likely we know some of the names of flowers (or plants). I must say it’s an experiment (or a trial) – elements you might not have faith in them before. They are excellent nourishment indeed.

-          Argan, Camellia and Jojoba Oil restore over-processed hair

-          Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera keep scalp moisturized

-          Shea Butter enhances the shine and color of hair

Andalou Argan Stem Cells Conditioner (Thinning Hair Treatment)

Yes it’s okay to have a silicone-free conditioner. Andalou Argan Stem Cells Conditioner with Argan Stem Cells help strengthen strands with less breakage. It results in healthier hair and creates an amplified volume.

RENE FURTERER Absolue Keratine Ultimate Renewal Mask (Extremely Damaged, Brittle Hair)

Plant Keratin, Biocymentine and Camelina work well for extremely damaged hair. RENE FURTERER Absolue Keratine Ultimate Renewal Mask is a good choice for SOS treatment.

Olioseta Oro Del Marocco Oil Treatment for Blonde-Fine Hair Argan and Linseed Oil

I love oils! 2 lovable oils, Certified Organic Argan and Linseed Oil, are key ingredients of Olioseta Oro Del Marocco Oil Treatment for Blonde-Fine Hair Argan and Linseed Oil.

Be Healthy

The hair experiment requires you to consume more good food in order for it to succeed more easily. Avocados, nuts, flaxseeds contain Protein, Omega-3 fatty acids and iron that are hair-healthy while spinach, guava and sweet potatoes are also good choices.

Haircare Is Very Personal

That’s the truth. So which bottle shall you purchase next? Having a relatively low-chemical haircare routine means you are putting bounds to the drawbacks of harmful substances to your hair. I must congratulate you if you have discovered your ideal haircare. But keep trying, keep experimenting!

Hairstyle Tutorial: Fishtail Bun Half-Up

Watch this video to learn from the lovely Belle on how to achieve a very pretty, unique hairstyle look – the Fishtail Bun Half Up Hairstyle is relaxed and natural but a bit different and interesting too! She shows you what you will need to achieve the look, as well as profile the Phyto 9 Nourishing Day Cream with 9 Plants (Ultra-Dry Hair) – an ideal product for nourishing the ends of the hair and imparting a gorgeous softness and shine for even the longest hair.

Product Mentioned:

Phyto 9 Nourishing Day Cream with 9 Plants (Ultra-Dry Hair)

Ways to Keep Your Hair Damage-Free, Tangle-Free (Protect from the Heat and the Sun)

If there’s one thing that makes a girl feel great, it’s having a good hair day! Our hair is just so “on display” all the time and a large part of our overall style is wrapped up in our hairstyle. Whether your hair is long or short, curly or straight, dark or blond, groomed or wild, it needs a bit of love and care to look fantastic all the time.

Always protect

Our hair can be the brunt of a few too many stresses that can leave it dried out, split, frizzy and dull. The sun, swimming pool chlorine, heat styling, dying and over-washing can strip it of the natural oils needed to keep it healthy, shiny and soft. It’s time to give your hair the love and attention it deserves!

Let’s start with the basics! Just as we all know to protect our skin from the sun, we need to protect our hair too! UV rays break down the cuticle of the hair shaft and leave hair dry and frizzy. Luckily for us, our hair actually protects our scalp from the harsh sun, but we need to give it a little protection here too if we want a shiny mane of healthy hair! When you are going to be outdoors for long periods, a stylish and highly effective method of protection is simply a hat! No mess, no fuss, no damage! If you swim in a chlorinated pool, wear a swimming cap to protect your hair from the chemicals that will dry it out and possibly affect the colour too!

Another way to protect your silken strands is to use a sun protective spray – you can use a spray that you use on your skin, and make sure you pay particular attention to the skin of your parting, which could get very burned if not protected. You can also use a leave-in conditioner for days that you will be outdoors. Try Macadamia Natural Oil Nourishing Leave-In Cream for a moisturising boost for dry, difficult-to-manage hair. The moisture transforms unruly locks into a well-behaved, shiny tumble of softness. What’s more, it has a built-in UV protection that keeps your hair healthy as well as protects any colour from fading.  

Macadamia Natural Oil Nourishing Leave-In Cream

Give your hair some love and care

Paying attention to your daily hair routine is also worth doing to keep your hair looking great. If possible, try not to wash your hair every day, as this strips the hair of natural oils. Using gentle, natural products will also keep your hair and scalp healthy, instead of harsh chemicals. I love the shampoo and conditioner from Le Couvent des Minimes Hair Care from the Root. The “Gentle Beneficial Shampoo” is suitable for all hair types and makes use of plant care with stimulating rosemary, sage and nettle and fortifying mint. The hair and scalp are gently cleaned and nourished without any silicone, and the result is soft, light, shiny hair. The “Root Beneficial Conditioner” includes olive oil to infuse moisture into the hair and impart that scintillating shine!

Le Couvent des Minimes Hair Care from the Root Gentle Beneficial Shampoo (For All Hair Types)  

Le Couvent des Minimes Hair Care from the Root Beneficial Conditioner (For All Hair Types)

All the wonderful products in the world won’t be of use if you “abuse” your hair afterward with vigorous towelling! If you towel dry your hair, just pat and rub it very gently to absorb moisture. By rubbing your hair, you roughen the hair shaft, making the hair appear frizzy and dull, so very gently does it! Once a week (or even more if your hair is excessively dry or you use heat styling often) give your hair a treatment mask to really give it some deep moisturisation and help restore any damage. For a decadent hair treat, you can’t go wrong with the Molton Brown Mer-Rouge Deep Conditioning Mask. Seaweed and amino acids add strength and shine to the hair, while vegetable proteins enrich and smooth each strand for soft, tangle-free and lustrous locks.

Molton Brown Mer-Rouge Deep Conditioning Mask  

Style Queen

And of course, we have the styling. There is no denying that blow drying, flat irons and curling wands can damage the hair, but they make us look so good! So, where there is a will, there is a way! Use your styling tools, but protect your hair first so that you can have your cake and eat it too! Give your damp hair a good mist of Giovanni 2chic Ultra-Sleek Blow Out Styling Mist, and make sure it is evenly distributed throughout your hair, and then go for the blow and style away until you are happy with your perfection! The Brazilian Keratin and Argan Oil give moisture, a silky bounce and zero frizz!

Giovanni 2chic Ultra-Sleek Blow Out Styling Mist   

It is worth thinking about what kinds of styles are most similar to your natural hair state, and work with that as closely as possible to avoid excessive styling and treatments. For example, if your hair is black and straight, a mass of blonde curls will be hard to achieve and maintain and your hair will go through quite some trauma to achieve the look!

So, no matter what you were born with, make sure you treat your locks with care and love, for everyday good hair days!

Everyday Beachy Waves for Mid-Length Hair Tutorial ft. Ashley Ahn

In this tutorial, the beauty pro Ashley Ahn shows you how to achieve the gorgeous “beachy waves” look on mid-length hair. This style looks gloriously natural and effortless, and Ashley shows you how to achieve the look in around 5 minutes. She uses Amika Un.Done Texture Spray and Touchable Hairspray, for a stunning style that smells fantastic too. So whip out your straightener and learn from a pro! 

Products Mentioned:

Amika Touchable Hairspray

Amika Undone Texture Spray