Coconut Oil for Hair

 Image via Pinterest.

Many people use coconut oil in cooking for its health benefits, but followers of Ayurvedic remedies (which are traditional Indian remedies) use the oil on their scalp and hair claiming it prevents hair loss and hydrates your hair. But is there any substance behind using coconut oil for hair? Yes, there is!

The rich fatty acids found in the oil nourish hair and remove excess dead cells on your scalp. Many bottled conditioners are water-based and thus, do not offer the same deeply concentrated moisture that the oil provides. In fact, studies have found that the chemical structure of coconut oil allows it to penetrate the hair fiber and have a higher moisture retention value. And it's not just deep conditioning: You can keep flyaways at bay by applying a tiny dab of coconut oil.

Read the rest of my article about the benefits of coconut oil at Daily Glow.

Fishtail Braid

The fishtail braid has been seen on the red-carpet being worn by celebrities of all ages and backgrounds, from Blake Lively to Kim Kardashian.

There are a lot of variations in braid styles , but this unique braid is all the rage right now, and can be sported at upscale events, if a celebrity can wear it on the red carpet, you can wear it to any event, and more casually as well. If you're wearing your braid as an evening look, then make it sleek and have the braid run down your back. If it's a bit more casual, then opt for a messier braid that is placed off the side.

That said, don't hesitate to wear the messy version of the fishtail braid for a more formal event. It may seem counterintuitive to do so, but the messiness of the hairstyle will counterbalance the structured feel of an evening gown or look, creating an overall unique look that works well. Read the rest of my article at Vista Magazine.

Image courtesy of Pinterest.

Avocado Olive Oil Hair Mask

Avocado Olive Oil Hair Mask

When it comes to hair masks, this is probably as basic as it gets. This two-ingredient hair mask is really easy to make and works wonders in a short period of time. I applied the mask to my dry hair and left it on for a little under an hour. Upon washing my hair I noticed my hair was less frizzy and I definitely felt the difference in terms of how soft my hair was.

My only gripe was that the chunks of avocado were a little difficult to smooth out. That, and the fact that if done regularly, this DIY hair mask would get to be a little pricey since avocados are not cheap!

Ingredients
1 ripe avocado
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions
1. Using a sharp knife, cut the avocado lengthwise around the seed.
2. Open the two halves to expose the seed.
3. Remove the pit from the half of the avocado that has the pit.
4. Use the knife to make a cross hatch pattern on the avocado halves to form segments.
5. Take a spoon and scoop out the avocado pieces and place it in a small bowl.
6. Using a fork, mash the avocado until smooth.
7. Add olive oil and mix until the consistency is even.
8. Apply to hair, making sure to focus on your scalp and tips. If there are chunks of avocado then massage it into your hair/scalp. Leave the mask in your hair for at least 20 minutes--I typically leave this in my hair until the mixture dries up and absorbs into my hair. It leaves a crisp, dry residue. Wash your hair with your favorite shampoo.

Beer Hair Rinse

I had always heard about beer being a great rinse for your hair--mainly from a Catherine Zeta Jones interview where she revealed that as her beauty secret.

Being no stranger to beauty experiments myself, I tried this out this past weekend over St.Patty's day. Could there be a better day for your hair to smell like beer?

I did feel--and maybe this is all in my head--that my hair was shinier. That being said, it was nothing compared to apple cider vinegar and since apple cider vinegar is cheaper, I'd rather opt for that.

But does a beer rinse actually work? Self recently tackled that question in their beauty blog and the answer just may surprise you! According to their post, the reasons why people believe beer is good for your hair is the protein content, acidic pH and the fact that beer contains a natural astringent called hops.

Unfortunately, the science doesn't back this up: The protein in beer doesn't deposit in your hair and is washed off, the pH has no significant impact and the astringent is not left on your hair long enough to have any real benefit.

Long story short: Drink your beer.

Image via Zazzle.

Baking Soda Shampoo

I recently started using this baking soda shampoo once a week and I'm definitely loving it. I tried it for the first time because I wanted to get on the "No Poo" bandwagon (Note: No Poo has nothing to do with feces--it's a movement calling for women to stop shampooing their hair), but alas it didn't work out for me. I have really oily hair so the lack of shampoo just made me unpresentable to the point where I was convinced someone was going to offer me a free shower in their home.

But the one upside was that not shampooing my hair got me to try this little recipe--can I call it a recipe if it only requires two ingredients, including water?

There are a few reason why I opt for this simple rinse once a week. First and foremost, it really makes my hair feel squeaky clean and allegedly helps prevent dandruff. But more importantly, it cleans my hair without using a lot of ingredients. The icing on top: It's cheap!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 cup water

Directions

Mix ingredients. The baking soda will settle in the bottle so make sure you mix it up prior to using. Pour onto hair and massage the product into the scalp. Rinse after 3 minutes.

Cornstarch Dry Shampoo

My hair is so oil-prone that I actually need to wash my hair every day or else without a fail, in less than 24 hours, my scalp and hair are greasy.

So, for a person like myself, dry shampoo is a savior.

I tried using cornstarch as a dry shampoo and there is no doubt that it works. Cornstarch is a natural thickening agent used in cooking, that is harvested from the endosperm of the corn.

It instantly absorbed all the excess oil in my hair and gave it the extra lift and volume it lost from the grease.

The one caveat; however, is that it isn't the most friendly product for brunettes and those individuals with dark hair since the white powder leaves a residue that gives your hair a grayish tint.

But that doesn't mean this can't work at all. I'm not sure I would be courageous enough to rub cornstarch on my hair and let my flocks loose, but I would definitely consider styling an up-do (such as a pony tail or bun).

Food For Healthy Hair

Don't we all covet beautiful hair? Sleek silky locks that never tangle or not up. You know, the kind we see in Pantene Pro-V commercials.

A recent article in the Huffington Post shared 10 foods that you should include in your diet if you want healthy hair. The article talks to Dr. Alan Bauman who shares some key points:

• Protein is key for growing hair
• You need both a healthy scalp and healthy hair
• Crash diets lead to hair loss

Below are the 10 power foods that lead to healthy beautiful hair--but if you think eating a health meal will give instant results, think again! Dr.Bauman shares with the Huffington Post that it can take up to six weeks for the results to show.

1. Salmon

2. Dark Green Vegetables

3. Beans

4. Nuts

5. Poultry

6. Eggs

7. Whole Grains

8. Oysters

9. Low-Fat Dairy Products

10. Carrots

Image via Tumblr.

Aloe Vera Hair Rinse

My dear friend Sarika--whose skin and hair glows like none other--told me she swears by applying aloe vera on her hair. If I were allowed to share a picture of her, I would, but suffice to say if she ever gives me a beauty tip...I will take it.

Last weekend I trekked off to my local Trader Joe's and bought a huge tub of aloe vera juice (I figure if it's safe enough to consume, it's safe enough to rinse with) for only $7.99!

The consistency and color of the juice is just like water, which makes it hard to rinse with-you can't just apply it to your hair like conditioner. I ended up putting it in a spray bottle so that I could evenly spritz the juice throughout my hair.

Claims

I did a little reading around before trying this and found A LOT about the alleged benefits of applying aloe vera on your hair and scalp. Apparently, it's great for maintaining a healthy scalp--makes sense since your scalp is essentially skin and aloe vera is good for your skin--and can even help with dandruff since it breaks down dead cells. What's more, it makes a great conditioner since it moisturizes your hair and gives it shine and strength.

My Thoughts

So far, I've rinsed my hair with aloe vera twice. I think its too soon to expect any result in terms of scalp condition or any drastic results in my hair, but I do feel that my hair is smoother and less frizzy. Will I be using this rinse again? Absolutely--I can't wait to see the longterm benefits and the difference in use actual aloe vera gel versus the juice.

Fragrant Hair

Don't we all dream of fragrant hair that smells fresh, clean and irresistible? 

If you're tired of smelling like your favorite shampoo, then consider this: Spray a paddle brush with one spritz (or two if your fragrance is mild) into the bristles. Brush your hair starting at your roots all the way to the tips of your hair.

If you're using a different fragrance in your hair than you are using on your body, then make sure the scents compliment each other. Let's be real, nobody wants to smell like a combination of apple pie and jasmine.
Image Source: This Is Glamorous, specifically here