Rose Water
Hawa Diawara, Malian Supermodel
Spritzing can help keep hair moisturised, nourished and healthy. It’s easy to make your own natural misters out of oils, rose water and distilled water. (2)
I had my big chop in 2009. And even though I was natural I was still experiencing a lot of hair breakage. Later on, I found out it was due to dryness and constant blow-drying. My second attempt at going natural was in December 2011 and May 2012, to remove damaged ends, leaving me with about 1 inch of hair.
I’ve stopped applying direct heat to my hair, and apart from losing about 40 -100 strands daily (which is normal), my hair does not break.
My hair is type 4b, meaning I have fragile curls that get dry easily and need lots of moisture to thrive. I remember growing up and dreading the rain, especially after a great hair-do, but now it does not vex me.
Our recommendation at Shakara Natural Tips: always find out what your hair type is first! This will help you in understanding and definitely maintaining your hair. Curly girl the Handbook is a good resource for identifying your curl type.
Benefits of Spritzing Hair
In dry climates, hair can quickly become parched and tangly when left to its own devices. Many so-called moisturising products that are commercially produced are laden with silicones, which not only coat the hair but also create build up over time, preventing moisture getting in as well as out.
If the hair is not clarified regularly, these products tend to result in dry, brittle hair. (2)
Natural Ingredients for Homemade Hair Spritzers
Distilled water forms the base for most hair spritzers. Hard water can build up mineral deposits on the hair, discolouring it and causing brittleness. Distilled water is completely pure and results in soft, silky-feeling hair. (2)
My spritz spray bottle contains:
- 100ml Rose water (100% natural)
- 200ml Aloe vera juice
- 5 drops of pure (not synthetic) Jojoba oil, lavender oil, or sweet almond oil.
- 3-5 drops of Vegetable Glycerine.
Combine all ingredients and apply all over your hair or to individual strands.
This is a natural, healthy and affordable way to keep your hair in good condition. I spritz my hair at night before going to bed and in the morning a few hours before I step out. After spritzing, to lock in moisture I use Pure 100% Castor oil or Shea butter.
Find out what works for you…but have fun while experimenting!
Storing Homemade Hair Spritzers
Depending on the ingredients, most spritzers will keep for a few weeks at room temperature or in the fridge. It’s worthwhile to make up small quantities at first, in order to tweak ingredients if necessary. Distilled water by itself will keep indefinitely. (2)
Tips:
- Start simple and always do an allergy test first.
- Rose water benefits include antibacterial, soothing, healing and antiseptic properties. It is very rich in flavonoids and vitamins, including A, C, D, E and B3. Rose water is very beneficial for hair, that is why it is frequently used as an ingredient for hair care products and shampoos. Rose water increases blood flow to scalp, this way nourishing and strengthening hair follicles and preventing hair loss. (1)
- Aloe Vera is a completely natural hydrating and conditioning substance that is therapeutic for your scalp. Be sure to get the edible type of Aloe Vera juice (the kind that has to be refrigerated after opening), which can be found in health food stores. (3)
- Spritzing helps in combing natural hair easily
So what’s in YOUR spray bottle? Feel free to share!
References:
- Carla. “Rose Water benefits and Medicinal Uses.” Guide to Herbal remedies. All herbal information for you. 11 August. 2010. Web. 25 January. 2012.
- Tenant, Sarah. “How to spritz and mist your hair with Natural ingredients.” Hair Care @ suite 101. 24 October, 2010. Web. 24 January. 2012.
- Massey, Lorraine and Bender, Michele. Curly girl the handbook. New York, 2010. Print.
(c) Shakara Natural Tips 2012
Comments
Holy Hair!
LMBO@Tricia. I spritz my hair however I may be adding me some Rose HOLY water to the mix after this post… Thanks for sharing.
Love the concoction tips….mine has of course water and some essential oils (olive, jojoba, castor) and my hair loves IT!! I am just starting on my natural hair journey so I love this blog! #BiggBlogGiveaway
Aww thanks Laetitia!!! feel free to share your experiences too, sharing is learning, much love, Shakara.
Thanks Tricia & Ysheena Rose water = awesome!
I'm experimenting with natural hair spritzers and was wondering if there is an alternative to the aloe Vera juice that will last longer……
Have u tried aloe vera gel?
Try distilled water…it's mentioned above 🙂
ChicSista you can use aloe juice or the gel (preferably from the plant because it's 100% pure) concentrated too, so you only need a little 🙂
@Anonymous once you open the bottle, store it in the refrigerator this will keep it for long. I got a large bottle about 2 months ago and still have it because a little goes a long way…it also doesn't expire until March/2014! Hope this helps 🙂
Also check out the other alternative hair spritz with Hibiscus/Calendula flowers I posted last week. Shakara
Organic apple cider vinegar
I live in an area of California where it is very hot in the summer, many 105+ degree days. Sigh. I've been using a concoction I made up of:
1/4 cup rose water
1 Tablespoon aloe vera juice
1 tsp. oil of choice (olive, jojoba, argon, avocado)
1 tsp. vegetable glycerin
1/2 cup distilled water
4-5 drops tea tree oil
Shake and spritz hair until damp, lifting to get the underside of hair. Pay special attention to new growth and ends of hair. Seal with very light coating of shea/coconut whipped butter (recipes for it all over the web), concentrating on ends of hair if not in a protective style.
That is what I've been doing and its been wonderful for my hair. Smells great, and my hair is soft yet full of body. Slightly oily feel to hair first hour or two after spritzing, but it soaks in by mid-day. IF its really hot out I usually hit my hair with round two spritz by about 3:00 p.m.
Thanks Deborrah!
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