How Reverse Shampooing Can Bring Back Life to Your Curly Hair

It's the same story everywhere, whether you have straight or curly hair - lifeless, dry tresses that break away with every wash. Keeping your hair moisturized and healthy can get much time-consuming for women with curly hair. However, what if we told you one simple change in your hair care routine can help you bring back life to your curly tresses? Not everyone is blessed with envious, curly hair and when you have it, you should do everything you can to keep your locks healthy. No, we won't be suggesting any chemical treatment to get a short-lived, healthy mane. Instead, it can be a life-changing decision for your hair!

Shampoo, but in reverse

The one simple thing you need to do while washing you curls next time is to reverse shampoo them. Here's how it works. Instead of shampooing your hair first and then using a conditioner on it, you first condition it and then shampoo it. It may feel a little strange at first, but you have to try the method to believe it! Reverse shampooing especially helps women with oily, volume-less hair or those struggling with product build-up on their scalp.

Why reverse shampooing?

Shampoos, especially the harsh ones, can sometimes strip your scalp off its natural oils, leaving you with a flaky mane and moisture-less hair. However, when you use a conditioner on your hair first, it ensures that your hair cuticles are locked there by sealing in all the moisture inside. The result? Beautiful, hydrated curls that you always wanted!

The method also makes your hair healthily voluminous. When you end your hair cleaning session by washing off the conditioner, it can cover your hair with an undesirable coating, which can weight down your hair, making it appear limp.

How to get it right?

Yes, it is all about conditioning your hair first and then shampooing it, but here is what you should keep in mind while following the reverse shampoo method. Work a natural, chemical-free conditioner into your hair, focusing on your hair ends and mid-shaft. Spread the product evenly throughout your hair and leave it on for a few minutes. Next, rinse it off and clean your scalp with a shampoo, this time focusing on your hair roots. Rinse thoroughly one last time to ensure that your hair is completely free from the product.

Four Hair Care Habits You Need to Give up on Right Away!

Curly hair is not easy to maintain of course, but having straight hair has its own troubles too. Also most of the times it is the hair care mistakes from your side that could be the reason for you losing your hair, literally! Your friends with straight hair may have shared hair care tips with you that might have worked amazingly for them, but they may not necessarily work on you. The hair care ritual for curly, kinky hair is different and here are four things that may be causing all the harm to your locks.

Being harsh with your hair

Your hair is delicate and expects you to take care of it with some love. Curly hair gets knotted easily and one of the biggest mistakes, which women with kinky hair commit, is to run the comb through their hair roughly to get rid of the knots. That is just wrong! Pulling through knotted hair will only lead to breakage, leaving you with weak, brittle hair, which clearly does not create a pretty picture. Instead work on small sections of hair to comb through the knots gently. It will ask for extra time of course, but you will love the results.

Quick tip: Do your hair a favor, don't use plastic combs on your curly hair, unless you want frizz.

Skipping the oil

Oiling is among the best and simplest ways of keeping your hair nourished and hydrated. By skipping on oiling your curls, you will only be making your hair dry and preventing it from getting the much needed moisture. Oiling your hair regularly is also said to improve the scalp's blood circulation. All it takes is a few drop of warm oil massaged gently all over your hair. Again, work in sections to ensure that the oil covers your hair and scalp evenly.

Chemical control

Too many chemicals can never be good for your hair, no matter what the product claims. So make it a habit to use natural, organic products for your curly hair to keep it healthy. Avoid shampoos with sulfate, which take away all the moisture from hair.

Washing your hair often

Among the best things about having African American hair is that you do not need to wash it often. Washing your hair more than twice a week can hamper the natural oil production process of your scalp, and you don't want to mess with it! Shampooing your hair just once a week should work fine. If you find you hair getting oily between washes, you can spritz some dry shampoo on your comb and brush through.

Do make it a point to deep condition your curly hair at least once in two weeks.

Homemade Pumpkin Conditioner and Why is it Good for Your Hair

Fall and autumn will soon replace the warmth of summer with an ever-increasing cold and dry weather.  Protect your hair and restore vitality to lackluster strands during this time with pumpkin - the vegetable of the season. 

Nutritive value

A rich source of essential nutrients and vitamins, pumpkin carries an abundance of alpha and beta carotene, Vitamin A, E, K and C. It also provides the body much needed minerals like potassium, magnesium and iron. These vital ingredients enhance hair follicles, add luster, strengthen roots and rejuvenate fraying cells while reducing hair fall. Potassium is an essential element that helps reduce hair fall and enhances re-growth, while Vitamin A works wonders on the scalp and ensures healthy hair growth. 

Natural humectant

Pumpkin is an effective moisturizer that seals and retains moisture that is easily lost from the scalp and hair strands. Afro-American hair is usually dry and frayed due to its thick and voluminous nature. Pumpkin is full of essential nutrients that safeguard the scalp and hair while providing much needed nourishment that revitalizes and rejuvenates dull and damaged hair. 

Conditioner extraordinaire

Natural elements found in pumpkin soak into the scalp and relive stressed and dry roots. An active sealant against dry climate, pumpkin is ideal to be used in winter. Pumpkin conditions and refreshes hair from root to tip. It is a natural ingredient that is readily found throughout the year. It  makes African American hair care easy and manageable. 

Pamper your hair with a holiday treat and bring about gorgeous locks with a natural, homemade pumpkin mask or conditioner. Here is a quick and effective pumpkin conditioner recipe

Pumpkin conditioner recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chopped and cooked pumpkin
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon yogurt

Method: Blend and puree the pumpkin well to a smooth paste along with yogurt. Then add honey and coconut oil and blend well again. Make sure the mixture is even and smooth. Apply the natural conditioner to washed and shampooed damp hair. Cover with a plastic hair cap and let it rest for at least fifteen minutes, you can sit under a dryer while waiting for the conditioner to set in. Thoroughly rinse out the pack after use and style hair as usual. 

Next time you go shopping for groceries, don't miss out adding pumpkins on the list!