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Homemade Hair Products
Some hair products are not only expensive, but also they may contain ingredients you wish to avoid. But don't despair. Using ingredients that you may already have in your cabinet, or by combining natural ingredients with your favorite store-bought beauty product, you can produce nourishing hair treatments within minutes. Pre-shampoo Treatment for Dry or Damaged Hair 2 to 4 tablespoons of almond or sesame oil Warm oil in a small saucepan over a gentle heat. Apply to dry hair and allow to remain for 20 minutes to an hour. Shampoo hair and follow with your regular rinse-out conditioner. (If your hair is fine or thin, you may not need the regular after-shampoo conditioner.) Semi-Homemade Shampoo 2 teaspoons of almond, sesame or avocado oil Combine the ingredients in a bowl and whisk them together for two to three minutes. The quantity is enough for two shampoos, unless your hair is extremely long. Cover and store the mixture in the refrigerator and use within two days. You will find that the oil will give your hair a lovely shine and manageability. Semi-Homemade Spray-On Conditioner for All Hair Types 1 tablespoon of your favorite conditioner Place a tablespoon of your favorite conditioner in the spray bottle and then fill the bottle up with water. Shake the bottle well before using. The spray is excellent for controlling frizzy hair, conditioning dry hair, or treating dehydrated hair. There is no need to rinse your hair after spraying. Homemade Deep Conditioner for Normal to Dry Hair 4 teaspoons of almond, sesame, or avocado oil This recipe is perfect for people with dry or damaged hair because it is a fairly rich conditioner. Slowly heat the first two ingredients in a saucepan over low heat. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the honey and vinegar. Use this mixture on your hair after your normal shampooing routine. Leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. The result? Smooth and well-conditioned hair. Hair Gel for All Hair Types 2 tablespoons of flax seeds Unlike the commercial varieties, this styling gel also acts as a conditioner, so it is particularly good for dry hair. Combine the flax seeds and water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool for 30 minutes. Strain out the seeds and stir in the vitamin E oil (if using) and the rosewater or essential oil. Pour the mixture into a clean jar and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to one month. Stephanie Pedersen is a writer who specializes in "lifestyle" topics. She is the author of The KISS Guide to Beauty and The KISS Guide to Planning Your Wedding, both published by DK Publishing. Visit her weblog at www.xanga.com/stephaniepedersen Share your thoughts about this article with the editor. Just Click Here and tell us what's on your mind. Do you have a time or money saving idea that wasn't included in this article? Please send it to tips@stretcher.com. We get the best ideas from our readers!
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