The world is a stressful place these days. COVID and lockdowns have us dealing with a real hair struggle. On the positive side, you've got time while you're at home to pamper yourself.
If you're a 20 or in your 60s, whether it’s work, parenting, studying or just general everyday living, we need to find ways to not only deal with stress but find ways to appreciate ourselves for what we do. We have more to do and less time to do it so we don't always have the time to spend hours at a salon or even in our own homes, looking after our hair. I get it.
So I’m going to give you a few fast and simple ways to nurture your hair and bring some good feels back into your hair without adding hours to your routine.
- The Hot Wrap. All you need is hot water, oil and a towel or plastic wrap. While your hair is wet, put a few drops of oil, either a straight carrier oil or with essential oil mixed in and run your hands through your hair. Immediately wrap up in plastic and put a towel around your head. Leave this on as long as you like and either rest or go ahead and keep doing what you need to do around the place. When you remove it, your hair will feel moisturized and soft, somewhat steamy. Run your hands through your hair, close your eyes, feel your texture, massage your scalp. Relax. Then style as usual.
- The ACV Reviver. Apple Cider Vinegar is amazing stuff for everyone’s hair. It removes buildup, refreshes your scalp and its pH closes the hair cuticle, increasing shine and decreasing tangles. Use 1-part ACV to 5-parts water and use as a simple rinse. I have done this before shampooing and on dry hair, wet hair, clean hair after shampooing and dirty hair. It’s especially good for when your hair is in twists, braids or extensions. You can dilute it even more if 1:5 is too strong.
- Tea Bath. Make up a mayo jar of regular black tea, as if you are preparing iced tea. When it has cooled to warm (not hot), use it as a rinse. You can then wrap your hair in a hot towel and let it sit for a while, or just use the rinse, leave it for a few minutes, then rinse out the color before styling. For extra punch, melt a tablespoon of honey into it. Make the tea the night before and use it in the shower in the morning.
- Hot Butter Balm. This is only suitable for loose hair. To soften and moisturize, wet your clean hair thoroughly and put enough hair butter on your hair to slick it down. Wrap in plastic, put a hot towel over it and leave on for 30 minutes, then rinse/wash out with a diluted solution of 1-part clear conditioner and 2-parts water. You can also use a diluted non-sulfate shampoo or shampoo-bar.
- Coil Up & Go. After a wash and condition, separate hair into 4 sections and clip away 3 of them. Starting at the back of your head, grab a little section of hair and put some holding gel on it. Wrap the section around your index finger and with the tip of your finger on your scalp, spin your wrist (like you are making an “O” in the air) to tighten the coil. Spin until the hair slips free of your finger, making sure the gel gets all the way to the ends. Do this all over your head. It’s easy to do while watching TV at night because the coil set will reset the following day in the shower or with a spritz of water and fluff up with a pinch to the ends.
No matter what you do, always remember to look after yourself, take care of your mental health and physical health. Give yourself praise and love for what you do, forgive yourself for mistakes you make, and thank your body for being the miracle that it is.
