B003YL4KS0 EBOK (21 page)

Combine the juice of 1 large lemon with your usual amount of conditioner. Apply the lemon-conditioner mixture to wet hair, then rinse.

Here’s a fabulous trick for protecting your hair when swimming in a pool: In addition to applying conditioner, pick up one of those sleek-looking oil spray misters at any housewares store. Fill it with olive oil and a few drops of your favorite herbal essence. Spritz the fragrant oil on your hair before jumping into the pool or spritz the lining of a bathing cap before putting it on your head. The oil will help protect your hair from the damaging chlorinated water.

Aloe vera is a completely natural hydrating and conditioning substance that is therapeutic for your scalp. It’s also great to use on your hair after you’ve been to the beach or before and after hair coloring treatments. Be sure to get the edible type of aloe vera gel (the kind that has to be refrigerated after opening), which can be found at health food stores.

After you’ve cleansed and rinsed your hair with warm water, apply a generous amount of aloe vera gel to your scalp. Massage the scalp gently for several minutes. Rinse your hair, and then condition it as usual. Or massage the gel into your dry scalp and leave it overnight.

You can also leave aloe vera gel in your hair as an alternative for styling gel: Just add 3 drops of your favorite herbal essence oil to a 3-ounce bottle of aloe vera, and scrunch it into your hair.

This revitalizing oil treatment will nourish the ends of your hair. It’s especially useful in winter, when your ends are in constant friction with wool and other heavy fabrics. The amount of oil you use depends on the length and thickness of your hair. You can add one or more essential oils found at most health food stores.

1.
Combine the olive oil and the essential oil, and apply it to the ends of your hair.

2.
Wrap your hair with clear plastic wrap, like a turban, and leave it on for 30 minutes.

3.
Rinse your hair thoroughly with Lemon Aid (see recipe on the previous page).

A nice pick-me-up, this potion will also add luster and shine to your curls. Vegetable glycerin can be found at most health food stores.

Poetry in Potions: Ginger 'n' Tonic (0:37)

1.
Place the water in a medium pan, and heat over high until the water comes to a boil.

2.
Add the ginger and the vegetable glycerin, bring the mixture back to a boil, and boil for 1 minute.

3.
Cover the pot, turn off the heat, and let the ginger mixture steep until cool.

4.
Strain the liquid to remove the ginger bits. Pour the Ginger & Tonic into bottles.

5.
Pour liquid over wet hair as a prerinse before cleansing. Ginger & Tonic can also be used as a facial spritz or, if you leave out the vegetable glycerin, as a tea to aid digestion. (Just add lemon, lime, and agave or honey.)

The G & T potion can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Makes 2 cups Ginger & Tonic

Spritz this gentle, all-natural hair spray on your curls whenever they look dull or need a quick pick-me-up. It will add shine and extra dimension. For this recipe, use distilled water because it doesn’t contain minerals. Vegetable glycerin can be found at most health food stores.

1.
Fill the spray bottle with the distilled water.

2.
Add the herbal essence and the vegetable glycerin to the water. Shake well.

3.
This spritz is potent, so experiment with application and amount. You can spritz it over all of your hair or just apply it to individual strands of hair with your fingers.

4.
Store the bottle in a cool place. It can last for up to 6 months.

The baking soda in this recipe will remove heavy product buildup and leave your hair clean, shiny, and refreshed. It’s a favorite of models and actresses.

1.
Combine the baking soda and hot water, and stir to blend. Let the mixture cool.

2.
Put the soda water in a spray bottle and shake.

3.
Wet, condition, and blot-dry your hair as usual.

4.
Spray or pour the soda water over your hair.

5.
Leave it on your hair for 1 to 2 minutes, feel the sizzle, then rinse with cool water.

6.
Cleanse your hair and/or condition, then style.

This sensual mix of moisturizing oils acts as a refreshing tonic for dry, color-treated, thirsty curls. Jojoba oil, shea butter, and essential oils can be found at most health food stores.

1.
Mix the olive oil, conditioner, and essential oil together well.

2.
Apply the oil mixture to wet hair with your fingers, saturating all your curls.

3.
Leave the oil on your hair overnight or for as long as you can.

4.
Rinse hair thoroughly. Then cleanse and/or condition and style.

This ancient remedy originally from Japan uses the nutrient-rich water that’s left over after cooking pasta, rice, potatoes, quinoa, or soybeans to add extra shine and body without stripping the hair of its own oils.

1.
Fill cheesecloth, a burlap bag, or any perforated bag with uncooked rice, pasta, potatoes, quinoa, or soybeans, and tie the bag shut.

2.
Place the bag in a pot, and add enough water to cover it.

3.
Bring the water to a boil, and then let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

4.
Let the water cool, and then remove the bag from the pot. The infused water will feel slightly thicker than plain water.

5.
Add ginger, orange flower water, or your choice of fragrance to the nutrient water.

6.
Pour the nutrient water in bottles.

7.
Use the nutrient water as a precleansing rinse by pouring it over your hair before cleansing, massaging it into the scalp, and then rinsing. Or pour it through your hair after rinsing out your sulfate-free cleanser, leave it on for a couple of minutes, and rinse your hair with regular water before applying a conditioner.

8.
Store the nutrient water in the fridge for up to a week.

Makes nutrient water for a few treatments