A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #48: Make Your Own Dry Shampoo for Light, Dark, or Red Hair

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

Dry shampoo is a weekly hair savior: it de-greases, adds volume and texture, and can save a blowout for up to a week. If you have processed, curly, or dry hair — or if you’re a “no ‘poo” type and avoid shampooing entirely — you might still get greasy, limp roots and wonder whether you should subject your locks to a full wash or leave it be. Dry shampoo to the rescue! Also, if you exercise in the middle of the day and don’t have time for a complete re-do, dry shampoo saves the day!

As with most of the DIY options listed on this blog, you can find store-bought versions that work well. But they often contain ingredients you don’t need, and they can put an unnecessary dent in your wallet. We’re all about easy, frugal, and natural here, so keep reading if you share this mindset.

It’s very easy to make your own dry shampoo! In the past, I’ve used baby powder, but I didn’t like the white residue that sometimes got left on my dark parts. You can tailor this DIY ‘poo to light, dark, or red locks in a jiffy, and leave the white residue behind! You can also experiment with various additives to match your precise hair color, but be careful: I’ve heard cinnamon will bleach your hair!

You can either make a batch of this beforehand and store it in a sealed container, or make it as you go. I’ve seen some cute versions stored in shaker jars (like for herbs or parmesan cheese), which seems like a very clever solution: just sprinkle, brush, and go! I haven’t tried that yet because I don’t have an empty spice jar right now, so I just make it on the go, apply it with my fingertips, and brush through. Works just fine that way, natch The steps listed below are for a make-ahead batch.

Stuff to Know:

• Buy organic cornstarch if you can! Organic is free of GMOs and you will avoid soaking them into your system via your scalp.
• Spot test any products or ingredients before using any homemade products on your face, head, or body, especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation and/or allergies.
• You can store this in a sealed container in a cool, dark place for up to a month or longer. Check the expiration date on your ingredients!

DIY Dry Shampoo for Light, Dark, or Red Hair

Ingredients for light hair:

• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 4-5 drops of your favorite essential oil

Ingredients for dark hair:

• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp. pure cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• 4-5 drops of your favorite essential oil

Ingredients for red hair:

• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp. paprika
• 4-5 drops of your favorite essential oil

Steps

1. Mix together your ingredients.
2. Apply to your roots and hairline using your fingertips or an old makeup brush, or sprinkle on using a shaker jar.
3. Brush through and style your hair as usual.

Do you use dry shampoo?

How often do you shampoo your hair? Are you on the “no ‘poo” train?

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #44: Make Your Own Olive Oil Moisturizing Hair Mask

Image by Luciano Consolini via Flickr

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

If your hair is coarse, brittle, or over-processed due to coloring, perms, or straightening treatments, it might seem like daily conditioner just won’t do the job. Sure, your hair is lovely right after you’ve conditioned it, but a few hours later, you’re a frizzy mess again.

Back in the ’80s (not that I know from personal experience … ahem), hot oil hair treatments were a big thing. You’d put a little plastic capsule filled with hair oil in the microwave for a few minutes, then slather it on your head, and 15 minutes later, wash it out.

Many people got good results from hot oil treatments! And wonderful variations exist these days, of course, using Moroccan argan oil and other blends. But they can be prohibitively expensive and wasteful. I use this serum by Giovanni when I blow-dry and/or heat style my hair, to keep my super-processed locks sleek and shiny. But it’s meant to be a daily styling treatment, not a weekly deep conditioner. Fortunately, there’s an easy, inexpensive, and non-wasteful way to replicate the results of conventional deep treatments, using simple olive oil. And if you use organic olive oil, then even better!

Unlike commercial treatments, there’s no plastic mess and no microwaving involved. And since you use the steam from your shower, there’s less time and less overall mess involved, too! Just apply the oil to your hair, cover with a shower cap, then hop in a steamy shower. Wash, shave, etc., as usual, leaving your shampooing for last. After only 5 steamy minutes, your hot oil treatment is complete! Shampoo and condition as normal. (Don’t forget to end your shower with a cold rinse! )

Your hair will be super-soft, shiny, and tangle-free for a long time!

Stuff to Know:

• If your scalp is oily, apply the olive oil only to the ends of your hair.
• Spot test any products or ingredients before using any homemade products on your face, head, or body, especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation and/or allergies.
• Do not store olive oil in the shower.

Homemade Olive Oil Moisturizing Hair Mask

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup organic olive oil

Steps

1. Gently comb or finger-comb out any knots in your hair, working from the ends toward the roots.
2. Using your hands, finger-comb the olive oil through your hair, thoroughly saturating the ends and the shaft.
3. Pile long- or medium-length hair into a twist.
4. Cover with a shower cap.
5. Take a warm and steamy shower for 5 minutes.
6. Remove the shower cap, then shampoo and condition as usual. End with a cold rinse!
7. Towel-dry your hair, then style as usual. Enjoy your lustrous locks!

Do you use oil on your hair?

Have you ever used a commercial hot oil treatment?

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #42: Make a Tennis Ball Massager

Image by Shawn Rossi via Flickr

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

If you’ve been following my tips all year, by now you’re well aware of the benefits of massage. You’re probably already giving yourself a daily hand massage and a daily foot massage, but when it comes unkinking other chronically tight areas of your body, you might wonder if you have to become a contortionist first. It’s practically impossible to knead your own shoulders, back, and neck! If you have a foam roller or regularly get massages (lucky youuuuu), you can skip this post… but most people don’t, and both can be pretty expensive.

A super-easy way to make your own massage roller is to repurpose two old tennis balls and an old sock! 

If you’re in the U.S., you can get a can of tennis balls for about $5, and if you’re a tennis player or dog owner and have some lying around the house already, well, then you’re all set. All you need now is an old sock, which nearly everybody has lying around. If you don’t, you can of course use a new sock, but we’re trying to keep this as frugal as possible here

Once you’re ready, find an empty wall space or door, and get to it! Your muscles will continue to thank you with their knot-free joy.

Stuff to Know:

• Painful shoulders, neck, lower back, joints, or other problems can be the result of underlying health issues. If you have concerns about your overall health, please see a medical professional.

DIY Tennis Ball Massager

You’ll need:

• 2 tennis balls
• 1 sock

Steps

1. Stuff the tennis balls into the sock, squishing the first one in all the way to the toe.
2. Tie the open end of the sock closed tight. Make sure your tennis balls have a little bit of room to move around and aren’t stuffed in too tightly.

To use:

• Find an empty wall space or a very secure closed door.
• Stand with your back to the wall/door.
• Place the massager horizontally along your back, wherever you need it most, and press your back toward the wall, securing the massager between your back and the wall.
• Bend your knees and gently lower and raise your body, allowing the tennis balls to knead the knots in your back.
• Repeat as necessary wherever you’re tightest.

Do you get regular massages?

Have you ever used an ordinary object for a back massage?

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #39: Enhance Your Hair’s Dark Tones with Coffee or Tea

Image by THOR via Wikimedia Commons

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

If you’ve been following along so far, you’ve already gotten tips on making homemade blonde highlights, and perking up red hues with hibiscus tea. Well, if you’ve got lovely chocolate-hued or raven locks, you’ll be happy to know that you can enhance your dark hair just as easily—and just as naturally, too!

This easy DIY home remedy will also help to cover stray greys and peek-a-boo light roots. If you’re a natural-born brunette, you might notice your hair getting mousy over time. And if you color your hair brown, you might want to add rich depth without spending a fortune.

My favorite all-natural, easy way to enhance dark hair is to simply use coffee or black tea! Unlike the blonde and red highlighting sprays, though, this remedy works best when your hair is completely saturated. So be sure to give yourself at least 30 minutes to an hour—and try to avoid using light-colored towels for clean-up

Coffee will impart a rich, chocolatey tone; black tea will give your hair a deep tone with fantastic shine. If you’re feeling extra-bold (mmm, just like a fresh cup of coffee), use both coffee and tea!

And remember, if you are a blonde or redhead, be sure to check out my previous posts for tips suitable for your locks! (My hair has been just about every shade in the book, so believe me, I’ve done them all.)

Stuff to Know:

• This rinse is recommended only for hair that is its natural color or has been colored only with natural products, such as henna or herbs. If your hair has been chemically treated or if you go to a salon for highlights or coloring, please talk with your stylist first.
• Spot test any products or ingredients before using any homemade products on your face, head, or body, especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation and/or allergies.
• This rinse is best used right away. Do not store it.

Coffee / Tea Hair Rinse for Brunette Highlights and Depth

Ingredients

• 1/2 gallon brewed coffee, very strong. Do not use instant coffee, only freshly brewed.
• OR 1/2 gallon very strong black tea (use at least 5 tea bags and brew for at least 5 minutes)
• OR a blend of coffee and tea

To use:

• Make sure your coffee/tea has cooled completely before using.
• With a towel wrapped around your neck, align your head over a sink basin or bucket.
• Very slowly pour the coffee/tea over your hair until each strand is fully saturated.
• Comb through. Style your hair into a bun if possible, and cover with a shower cap or plastic wrap to prevent drips.
• Leave on for one hour, then rinse and shampoo as usual.
• Repeat as needed to keep you hair rich and deep!

Do you have dark hair or dark lowlights?

Have you ever used coffee or tea in your hair care?

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #36: Make Your Own “Beach Hair” Texturizing Spray

Image by Protonotarios via Flickr / Creative Commons

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

Here in North America, summertime is pretty much over—and so are long days spent at the beach with your hair sea-washed and air-dried to the perfect chunky-but-soft texture.

But never fear! It’s ridiculously easy to make your own hair texturizer to re-create that beachy look, no matter what the season! Lots of you have liked my DIY hair highlighter. Combine that with today’s tip, and you’ll have summertime hair as the days grow colder and shorter.

There are several commercial “beach hair” texturizing sprays on the market today, but they are expensive and often contain a bunch of ingredients you don’t necessarily want soaking into your scalp. It’s simple and cheap to make your own—and in my opinion, the homemade version works even better than commercial brands.

If you have been following my tips through the year, you already have Epsom salt and coconut oil on hand You can use sea salt instead of Epsom, but I feel like the texture is a little thicker with the Epsom salt. Feel free to experiment, though, and see what works best for your hair!

Stuff to Know:

• This texturizer is recommended only for hair that is in good condition. It should be safe for chemically treated or colored hair, but if your hair is broken, very dry, or extremely weak or damaged, please talk with your stylist first. You definitely don’t want to create any adverse reactions.
• Spot test any products or ingredients before using any homemade products on your face, head, or body, especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation and/or allergies.
• Store this spray in a cool, dark, dry spot for 3-4 weeks

For a container, I used a small plastic spray bottle from the drugstore, which cost $0.99. I had all other ingredients on hand.

Homemade “Beach Hair” Texturizing Spray

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup room temperature water
• 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
• 2 Tbsp. Epsom salt or sea salt

Steps

1. In a medium-size bowl, mix together all ingredients.
2. Transfer to your spray bottle.

To use:

• Shake the spray bottle well before using.
• Spray on damp hair, either all over or in small sections for targeted texture. A few spritzes are all you need!
• Scrunch the texturizer through your hair with your fingers.
• Air dry or use a diffuser to blow dry.

Do you like the texture of “beach hair”?

Have you ever used a commercial texturizing product?