NATURAL CONDITONERS

Conditioning your hair after shampooing is important if you have dry, brittle hair or if your hair frequently colour , bleach or chemically treat your hair. If your hair and scalp are naturally healthy and you are following the recommended steps for optimizing your hair's health with massage, hot oil treatments and scalp toners, you will enjoy usng the llight conditioning rinses described here.

Cheaper commercial shampoos are made with strong surfactant bases that cause the pH of the hair to become excessively alkaline after shampooing. This disturbs the hair cuticle, roughening the shaft so that the hair becomes brittle and dull, breaking easily and lacking a natural sheen. If you have been unable to find a commercal conditioner suited to your particular hair type, try these simple, natural alternatives.

For intensive conditioning, use hair repair complexes which include natural oils and vitamins in their formulation. The recipes below provide you with choices for natural conditioning and management of your hair.

CONDITIONING ROSEMARY VINEGAR FOR HAIR
Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water together in a glass, and stir in 10 drops of rosemary oil. Gently pour over washed hair, working in with fingertips, wait a few minutes, rinse out and towel dry. The vinegar smell vanishes as the hair dries. Your hair will be smooth and shiny with a fresh, herbal fragrance.

BEER RINSE WITH PATCHOULI
Stir 6 drops of patchouli oil into a glass of beer (flat beer is fine). Gently pour over washed hair, working with fingertips, wait a few minutes, rinse oout and towel dry. Beer gives the hair body and sheen, and the patchouli oil conditions and fragrances.

NATURAL AROMATHERAPY CONDITIONER
A basic natural conditioner with added pure essential oils to provide aromatherapeutic benefits. For all hair types.

• 8 oz (240ml) unfragranced hair conditioner base (see previous post on recipe for hair conditioner)
• 30 drops rosemary Pure Essential Oil
• 30 drops lavender Pure Essential Oil

Stir the essential oils into the unfragranced hair conditioner base in a measuring cup or beaker until well blended. Pour through a funnel into a plastic squeeze bottle. To use, gently squeeze water from the hair, apply the conditioner, wait 1-3 minutes depending on the amount of conditioning needed, rinse and towel dry hair.

INTENSIVE BOTANICAL HAIR MASK
An intensive nutrient pack to provide damaged hair with body and luster. Use every 4-6 weeks for healthy, shiny hair.

• 2 oz (60ml) almond oil
• 1 oz (30ml) avocado ol
• 1/2 avocado
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp Vitamin E
• 30 drops sweet orange Pure Essential Oil

Mash the avocado and blend it with the rest of the ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Dampen your hair with warm water and towel dry. Apply the mask mixture liberally to your hair, massaging into the ends, and leave on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off first with warm, then hot water. Shampoo lightly, dry and style naturally, with a smooth texture and beautiful shine.