Coconut milk is extremely nourishing and softening for the hair. It is said to add lustre and also promote growth, being rich in protein, essential fats, iron and manganese. Mix one cup coconut milk with powder of curry leaves and 2 tablespoons gram flour (besan).
Shahnaz Husain
Healthy, lustrous hair is basic to beauty. Yet, we see so much hair damage today due to repeated use of chemical lotions for dyeing, colouring and styling the hair. In winter, when the weather is cold and dry, the hair also suffers. This is the time of year when we like to sit outside and enjoy the warm sunshine. We use hot water for bathing and washing the hair. The hair not only becomes dry and rough, but also becomes dull and lacks shine.
Hair rinses and packs help in adding lustre to the hair. For instance, have a tea and lemon rinse after shampoo. Make tea-water by adding hot water to green tea leaves, or using green tea bags. You should have 5 to 6 cups of tea-water. Cool, strain, add the juice of a lemon and use as a last rinse. Rinsing the hair with beer helps to add shine and body to dry hair. Add the juice of a lemon to beer and use as a last rinse. Leave on for 5 minutes and rinse with plain water.
For dry hair, twice a week, heat coconut oil and apply on the hair. Apply on ends too. Dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times.
Hair Packs:
This is the time when you can apply hair packs, to provide extra care to your hair and make it look healthy and lustrous. Here are some hair packs with home ingredients Make a paste of the ingredients and apply on the hair.
* Egg and banana pack – this makes a wonderful hair conditioning back and also adds shine. Take two ripe bananas, 2 eggs, the juice of a lemon and 2 Vitamin E Capsules. Mix together into a paste. Apply on the hair and wear a plastic shower cap. Leave on for half an hour and then wash the hair.
* For dyed or coloured hair, mix well together one egg, one tablespoons castor oil, the juice of a lemon and one tablespoon aloe vera gel or juice. Apply and leave on for 30 minutes.
* Dandruff is common during winter and makes the hair dull. Soak fenugreek (methi) seeds overnight in water. Grind them into a paste. Add 2 teaspoons each olive oil and a paste of hibiscus leaves and flowers. Apply the paste on the scalp and leave on for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse well with water.
* Apple cider vinegar also helps to add shine. For oily scalp and dandruff, mix ripe papaya pulp with gram flour, egg white and four teaspoons apple cider vinegar into a paste. Apply on the hair and wash off after half an hour.
* Avocado can be used in hair packs. The protein and oil contents of avocado nourish the hair, adding body and shine. For a hair pack, take one avocado and mash into a pulp. Add one tablespoon green tea, one tablespoon fenugreek (methi) seed powder. Mix into a paste, adding lukewarm water. Apply and wash it off after half an hour.
* Coconut milk is extremely nourishing and softening for the hair. It is said to add lustre and also promote growth, being rich in protein, essential fats, iron and manganese. Mix one cup coconut milk with powder of curry leaves and 2 tablespoons gram flour (besan). Curry leaves are rich sources of beta-carotene and protein, which encourage healthy hair growth. Apply and leave on for an hour. Wash off.
* Milk has been a favourite beauty aid for generations. For one thing, it is so easily available in every home. Milk has softening and nourishing properties and also adds shine. A pre-shampoo treatment can also be done with a hair pack containing powdered milk and egg yolk. Add a little water to make a thick paste. Apply it on the hair. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes and wash hair.
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