With DIY projects becoming the go-to hair care approach for more and more naturalistas, we’ve decided to peer into our own cupboards (from the kitchen to the bathroom) and determine what (weird) products may be lurking around that just so happen to be helpful for hair!
Alcohol
Diluting beer or vodka with water or mixing it in your shampoo or conditioner is a great way to alleviate itchiness and get rid of dandruff! The low pH level in alcohol is said to help maintain a low level for hair cuticles, which helps prevent frizz.
Monistat
The most active ingredient in Monistat, miconazole nitrate, is said to help regulate hair growth and thickness.
Normally used to treat fungus and yeast growth, miconazole nitrate helps reduce the hormones in hair follicles that promote hair loss.
Vlogger duhitsbrittany warns against too much use, however, explaining that your body can build a resistance to the anti-fungal function of the cream (should you ever get a yeast infection), sharing that mixing the product is the better option, overall.
Mayonnaise
A simple protein hair treatment, the fatty acids and vitamins found in mayonnaise (lemon juice, soybean oil, and vinegar), is said to help promote soft strands, as well as boosting shininess.
Mixing mayonnaise with olive oil also helps to avoid protein overload, which could leave your hair feeling crunchy and brittle.
Baking Soda
To remove product build-up, sprinkle a few tablespoons of baking soda in your hand and scrub in your hair after shampooing (making sure to deep condition after). The baking soda will help clarify your hair and leave it squeaky clean!
Peanut Butter
A great, natural source of biotin and protein, peanut butter is a great substitute for a deep conditioning product, leaving your hair soft and bouncy.
Leaving the peanut butter in your hair for a while will help penetrate your hair strands, and mixing the butter with any oils of your choice (jojoba, tea tree, etc.) can help promote moisture!
Okra
The viscosity (thickness) of this yummy vegetable makes it the perfect agent for keeping your strands in place and chemicals out of your hair. My Natural Sistas created this how-to video on how to quickly tern this legume into a styling gel using 6 Okra pods, 1-2 Tbs of Marshmallow Root, 1 cup of Water,Drops Peppermint Oil. In a nutshell, you have the okra pods, boil the ingredients together and then strain out the vegetables from the ‘broth’ it creates. Let is sit over night in the fridge, then go at it! (Note: Flaxseed is also another all naturale gel alternative).
What did we miss? Know of anything that’s surprisingly good for your hair? Tell us in the comments!
