Aside from my love of makeup, I am always looking for better, healthier, simpler and lets be honest, cheaper ways to style and care for my hair.
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| "Really, Mom? Coconut husk!" |
However, as we all know heat is not always our hairs best friend, because of this I am in a constant tug-o-war. On one end I'm not completely comfortable with my natural hair so I straighten, which I like, but that weakens and breaks the ends. Combined with my very slow hair growth-rate, it ends up taking a very long time to get my hair to grow out! By the time my hair gets to my bra strap, I'm fed up and end up chopping it all off and the vicious cycle starts over. It's frustrating.
So in light of my constant search, I find lots of amazing tips, tricks and articles that I'd love to share! What I love most about most of the tips in this post, is the fact that they are natural ingredients, some of which you can find in your own kitchen or local supermarket. The list is a bit long as we travel around the world but here we go....
Colombia - Avocado Hair Mask
Combine 2 egg whites with half a mashed-up avocado. Apply mixture to hair and leave for 15 minutes. Wash and condition normally. It's fast, inexpensive and a natural way to keep hair silky smooth.
Brazil - Coconut Hair Cocktail
Once a week, apply a cocoa-butter treatment mask to hair and let sit for half an hour, then rinse with coconut water. The combination leaves hair soft and incredible moisturized. Not to mention you'll smell delicious!
Argentina - Hydrate with Aloe Vera
Women in Argentina associate long hair with sensuality and glamour. To maintain a healthy scalp, add moisture and keep strands long, apply aloe vera directly to your scalp or add it to your favorite shampoo.
Guyana - Sardines for Shiny Hair
If you don't already love sardines, it may be hard to start enjoying but you're in luck! Trout, herring, albacore tuna, mahi mahi, swordfish and salmon are all excellent sources for omega-3 fatty acids. Adding fish to your diet will help stimulate hair growth and keep your locks shiny and radiant. Still can't bring yourself to eat fish, not to worry, omega-3 is also found in walnuts, flaxseed, cauliflower and cooked soybeans!
Mexico - Gelatin Hair Mask
South of the border they fight frizz with a blend of 1tbsp. of unflavored gelatin, 1 cup of water and 1 tsp. of cider vinegar. Massage the gel-like mixture through shampooed hair, leave in for 5 minutes, then rinse. It's a practice passed down through generations.
Jamaica - Ditch the Blow Dryer
In the dead of summer using a blow dryer can feel like a blowtorch to your head. Take a cue from the ladies of Jamaica and use rollers! After shampooing and conditioning, set hair with rollers and air dry. You'll end up with lush, bouncy, flowing curls minus the heat stroke.
Puerto Rico - Work With Your Hair
"The island is humid and windy and women here spend a lot of time at the beach", says stylist Elizabeth Rosado. "Instead of fighting their natural texture, we help them embrace it with soft layers." Choose long, face flattering layers like Jennifer Lopez.
Canada - Cold Rinse
The dry, harsh weather in Canada can make hair thirsty and unruly. To combat this, try an "Arctic Rinse". After taking a shower, rinse your hair with cold water. This instantly seals your cuticles, closing up the shaft so it reflects natural light easier. Your hair will have optimal shine and radiance!
Spain - Lived in Highlights
When it comes to hair, women in Spain have a "less is more" approach. Instead of drastic changes that require regular touch-ups, they opt for sunny highlights with an uneven starting point so that regrowth isn't as noticeable.
Ireland - Slide Cutting
Irish women are prone to pouffy hair do to it's naturally course and kinky texture. To help with this, these women ask their stylist for the "slide-cutting" technique. This is used to remove the bulk of the hair without losing the line of cut. It creates softness and movement.
Scotland - Tea Rinse
A chamomile tea rinse keeps blonde hair from fading. Simply boil the flowers for a few minutes, cool and strain. Then spritz the mixture on dry hair.
England - Fight the Frizz
Due to the wet and foggy climate, British girls have a real challenge on their hands when it comes to hair. Before running out the door, rub some anti-frizz serum through your hair and never leave the house without anti-humidity hairspray. You never know when the weather will turn foul!
France - Hydrate while you sleep
The lovely ladies of France know a thing or two about beauty sleep. Overnight treatments are very popular here. To add moisture many women will rub shea butter cream on their scalp before a shampoo. Another nighttime ritual, vitamins. Take herbal supplements to nourish hair from the inside out.
Germany - Oktoberfest Rinse
If there is any country who knows beer, it's Germany. But aside from the obvious Oktoberfest, beer is also used as a hair rinse. After shampooing, pour flat, warm beer on your hair and work through. Rinse with lukewarm water. Or you can combine half a liter of beer and warm water in a spray bottle. Spritz hair and leave on for 20 minutes then rinse. Do this weekly to keep strands strong and glossy.
Italy - The Olive Oil Hair Diet
Like a secret family recipe, olive oil has been a passed down from generation to generation in Italy in some families. Take a tablespoon of olive oil and comb through your hair. Doing this once a week will keep your strands nourished, conditioned and improve elasticity. It's also a great way to help fight frizz!
Czech Republic- Pump Up the Volume
Czech women tend to have fine hair so it's all about volume. A national popular choice is the Kérastase Volumactive line. From the shampoo to the styling products, they all give fool proof body.
Romania - Sweeten your Conditioner
To boost highlights like a Romanian, add 1tbsp of honey to your favorite conditioner. Your highlights will shimmer!
South Africa - Whirl your Hair Straight
Before the days of chemical relaxers and flatirons, South African women used a process known as whirling to straighten their hair. To achieve this, wrap wet hair tightly around your scalp and place a stocking over your head to hold it place. Use a blow-dryer to remove 80 percent of the moisture, then remove the stocking and wrap hair in the other direction. Dry hair completely. Take the stocking off and brush out, your hair should be straight as a board.
Egypt - Castor Oil Cocktail
"In Cairo, where my family is from, a popular hair treatment is castor oil mixed with crushed garlic," says N.Y.C colorist Rita Hazan. "Add a drop of lavender essential oils to the combination and apply to dry hair, leave overnight. Rinse in the morning and you'll have lush, hydrated hair." Castor oil also promotes hair growth! You can also combine with almond oil to give it a sweet smell.
India - Amla Oil Cocktail
If there is any country that could boast having the most gorgeous and abundant hair, it would be hands down, India. With over a billion people, there are many tricks to keeping hair healthy. One of which is Amla oil. Apply a small amount of oil onto hair, massage scalp and comb through. Leave on for 20 minutes then rinse. You could also wrap your hair with a warm towel and leave on for a half and hour then rinse. Your hair will shine like never before!
Greece - Sun and Sand Protection
Before hitting the beach, Greek women use olive oil to slick their hair back into a ponytail. This protects against dehydration from the sun and salt water.
United Arab Emirates - Undercover Glamour
Although many women there wear the traditional abaya's that cover their hair, they still visit salon's regularly for blowouts and styling. Now that's a commitment to fashion I can appreciate! Having your hair covered, with a hat, scarf or abaya will help shield you from the sun and air pollutants. It's also a great way to make a fashion statement, keep your blow-outs lasting longer and maintain the overall health of your hair.
Australia - Surfer Style
Rather than racing to wash their hair after a swim at the beach, Aussie gals use the piecey texture that salt water provides to create tousled waves. What do you expect of a country completely surrounded by the ocean?! No ocean nearby? Grab a spray bottle, add a few teaspoons of course sea salt, a few drops of your favorite essential oil and fill with warm water. Shake and spray onto hair and braid loosely. When hair dries, take out the braid and comb with your fingers for instant beach hair!
Thailand - Coconut Milk Shampoo
A local recipe that's been used for years is coconut milk shampoo. Simply grate and squeeze the coconut to get the milk, which you heat on the stove until the oil separates. Spoon out the oil and let cool before applying to your hair as shampoo. It provides moisture, softness and shine.
Vietnam - Lush Lotus Treatment
Prevent breakage with a boket, or lotus tree treatment. The lotus, which grows in Southeast Asia, is the secret to strong shiny hair. For a homemade remedy, steep the leaves and use the liquid as a cleanser. Then grind the pods to a thick, buttery consistency and use as a conditioner.
Japan - Camellia Oil &Wooden Comb
Japanese women throughout the centuries have gone through numerous hairstyles, from the elaborate updos to long and straight to the crazy colors and styles you see today. An ancient Geisha secret was to keep their wooden comb in a jar of camellia oil then comb hair until smooth and silky. Those ladies knew what they were doing! It is much better to comb through tangles and wet hair than to use a synthetic brush. You could also massage your scalp with camellia oil using your fingertips for 10 minutes or apply oil to hair generously and wrap with a warm towel for 20 minutes. Rinse and condition.
China - Fruit Cocktail
A favorite of the Chinese ladies was the Chinese Honey Locust fruit. Boil the fruit of the honey locust tree, when cooled, rub the fruit between hands to produce a perfumed lather and shampoo hair. When ready to comb hair, use a wooden comb that's been soaking in Pomelo seed juice to make hair smooth and silky. An Asian market or Chinese herbal shop is your best bet to finding these exotic fruit.
Hawaii - Awapuhi Wash
For centuries, Hawaiian's have used the awapuhi, or ginger flower, to moisturize hair and skin. This is a secret that I told from my aunties while growing up. Simply take the flower and massage till a liquid is produced, apply to hair and wash. Rinse with cool water.
Tahiti - Tiare Monoi
As much as they are recognized your their sensuality and fast hip-shaking. Tahitians are also known for their beautiful, golden skin and hair. Not only does it help moisturize and soften but monoi has been used for years to protect from the effects of sun, wind and sea salt. Use as a pre-shampoo oil treatment or add a few drops to your next hot bath.
I tried to include as many places around the world that I could. I'm sure there are hundreds of other tips and secrets out there waiting to be shared. Please feel free to leave comments! I hope you enjoyed.
A hui hou (till next time!)
All photos were found through an internet search engine and belong to their respected owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Egypt - Castor Oil Cocktail
"In Cairo, where my family is from, a popular hair treatment is castor oil mixed with crushed garlic," says N.Y.C colorist Rita Hazan. "Add a drop of lavender essential oils to the combination and apply to dry hair, leave overnight. Rinse in the morning and you'll have lush, hydrated hair." Castor oil also promotes hair growth! You can also combine with almond oil to give it a sweet smell.
India - Amla Oil Cocktail
If there is any country that could boast having the most gorgeous and abundant hair, it would be hands down, India. With over a billion people, there are many tricks to keeping hair healthy. One of which is Amla oil. Apply a small amount of oil onto hair, massage scalp and comb through. Leave on for 20 minutes then rinse. You could also wrap your hair with a warm towel and leave on for a half and hour then rinse. Your hair will shine like never before!
Greece - Sun and Sand Protection
Before hitting the beach, Greek women use olive oil to slick their hair back into a ponytail. This protects against dehydration from the sun and salt water.
United Arab Emirates - Undercover Glamour
Although many women there wear the traditional abaya's that cover their hair, they still visit salon's regularly for blowouts and styling. Now that's a commitment to fashion I can appreciate! Having your hair covered, with a hat, scarf or abaya will help shield you from the sun and air pollutants. It's also a great way to make a fashion statement, keep your blow-outs lasting longer and maintain the overall health of your hair.
Australia - Surfer Style
Rather than racing to wash their hair after a swim at the beach, Aussie gals use the piecey texture that salt water provides to create tousled waves. What do you expect of a country completely surrounded by the ocean?! No ocean nearby? Grab a spray bottle, add a few teaspoons of course sea salt, a few drops of your favorite essential oil and fill with warm water. Shake and spray onto hair and braid loosely. When hair dries, take out the braid and comb with your fingers for instant beach hair!
Thailand - Coconut Milk Shampoo
A local recipe that's been used for years is coconut milk shampoo. Simply grate and squeeze the coconut to get the milk, which you heat on the stove until the oil separates. Spoon out the oil and let cool before applying to your hair as shampoo. It provides moisture, softness and shine.
Vietnam - Lush Lotus Treatment
Prevent breakage with a boket, or lotus tree treatment. The lotus, which grows in Southeast Asia, is the secret to strong shiny hair. For a homemade remedy, steep the leaves and use the liquid as a cleanser. Then grind the pods to a thick, buttery consistency and use as a conditioner.
Japan - Camellia Oil &Wooden Comb
Japanese women throughout the centuries have gone through numerous hairstyles, from the elaborate updos to long and straight to the crazy colors and styles you see today. An ancient Geisha secret was to keep their wooden comb in a jar of camellia oil then comb hair until smooth and silky. Those ladies knew what they were doing! It is much better to comb through tangles and wet hair than to use a synthetic brush. You could also massage your scalp with camellia oil using your fingertips for 10 minutes or apply oil to hair generously and wrap with a warm towel for 20 minutes. Rinse and condition.
China - Fruit Cocktail
A favorite of the Chinese ladies was the Chinese Honey Locust fruit. Boil the fruit of the honey locust tree, when cooled, rub the fruit between hands to produce a perfumed lather and shampoo hair. When ready to comb hair, use a wooden comb that's been soaking in Pomelo seed juice to make hair smooth and silky. An Asian market or Chinese herbal shop is your best bet to finding these exotic fruit.
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| 2nd to the right, front row. Dancing with my halau |
Hawaii - Awapuhi Wash
For centuries, Hawaiian's have used the awapuhi, or ginger flower, to moisturize hair and skin. This is a secret that I told from my aunties while growing up. Simply take the flower and massage till a liquid is produced, apply to hair and wash. Rinse with cool water.
Tahiti - Tiare Monoi
As much as they are recognized your their sensuality and fast hip-shaking. Tahitians are also known for their beautiful, golden skin and hair. Not only does it help moisturize and soften but monoi has been used for years to protect from the effects of sun, wind and sea salt. Use as a pre-shampoo oil treatment or add a few drops to your next hot bath.
I tried to include as many places around the world that I could. I'm sure there are hundreds of other tips and secrets out there waiting to be shared. Please feel free to leave comments! I hope you enjoyed.
A hui hou (till next time!)
All photos were found through an internet search engine and belong to their respected owners. No copyright infringement intended.
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