Vinegar + Essential Oil Hair Rinse (for soft, shiny hair!)

I've recently started rinsing my hair with a white vinegar + water mixture after shampooing, and I absolutely love it! The mixture helps restore the pH of my scalp and hair, leaving me with shiny coils and kinks. Last week, I decided to add one of my favorite essential oils to the mix.

I elected to use lavender, which is great for soothing the scalp and promoting hair growth (it also knocks back that vinegar-y smell!). Some other great essential oils are rosemary (promotes hair growth, darkens grey hair), chamomile (scalp soothing; great for blondes), tea tree (fights dandruff), and sage (clarifying; great if you have psoriasis).

Here's what you'll need:

Vinegar + Essential Oil Hair Rinse
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
10 drops of an essential oil of your choice
An 8-oz. container

Add the 10 drops of essential oil and a little bit of water to your bottle. Mix together. Pour the rest of the water and the vinegar into the bottle. Shake to combine. (Heads up: After shaking, the mixture should settle out and be clear).

To use, shake up the bottle and pour some of the mixture over your scalp after rinsing out your shampoo and/or conditioner. Massage the mixture into your scalp. Let the solution run down your hair, adding a little bit more to your ends. Do not rinse, but feel free to squeeze out the excess liquid.

Depending on the length and density of your hair, this should last you at least 5 uses (for the sake of comparison, I have dense, bra-strap/mid-back length hair, and I can get about 5 uses out of one 8 oz. bottle).

Hair tip: 'Baggying' for dry hair!

'Baggying' is a little trick that is great for dealing with dry hair and retaining length, especially for those of us with curly or kinky hair. This method helps the hair retain moisture by trapping water that would normally evaporate under a plastic cap, and allowing it to penetrate the hair shaft. The addition of a moisturizer or oil helps to further nourish the hair. All you have to do is...

Hair tip: Honey + olive oil hair treatment

Here's a quick way to bring some life back to your parched tresses! Combine equal parts extra virgin olive oil with equal parts organic or all-natural honey (start off with 2 tablespoons of each, then add more if you need to). Next, heat the mixture for about 30 seconds. Apply it to damp hair that's either clean or dirty, and cover with a plastic bag or cap for at least 20 minutes. Then rinse, shampoo, or co-wash the mixture out and enjoy your soft, moisturized and shiny hair!

(W+D)

Do or don't: Head wraps

This isn't really a question. Of course they're a 'do'! Not only are they a brilliant way to protect your tresses during the colder months, but they also can look perfectly festive and summery at the beach or while riding your bike. Here are a few of my favorite head wrap styles after the jump!

Do or don't: Salt and pepper hair

I know some women would rather die than let their peers see their grey roots (like those 80 year old ladies we see with jet black hair or bleached blonde locks...yikes!). But I think if the hair is healthy and cut in a chic 'do, it can be totally statement-making and expressive of one's confidence and natural beauty.

What do you guys think?

(Image via Pinterest)

Quick hair tip

If you're planning on flat ironing your hair, prep your hair by doing a a protein treatment, rich in hydrolyzed proteins, followed by a moisturizing deep conditioning treatment. The hydrolyzed proteins will penetrate the hair shaft, compared to other proteins that just sit on the surface, which will fortify your strands and help to minimize heat damage and breakage. The moisturizing conditioner with impart moisture, improve elasticity, and give you tons of shine!

P.S. I especially love this for protein and this for moisture!

(Via)

Hair gun

While searching for a new blow dryer, I came across this nifty contraption. This fully functional, retro 357 Magnum hair dryer was made in 1981 and is by far one of the neatest things I've ever found on the web. You just pull the trigger to adjust the settings and you're good to go!

P.S. It comes with its own 'holster', ha!

Beauty tip: Rosemary oil

I started growing my hair out two summers ago, and one product that's definitely helped me do that is rosemary essential oil. Not only does it smell beautiful, but it also helps stimulate hair growth, soothes a dry or itchy scalp and slows down premature hair loss and grey hair. I put a few drops in just about everything I use, and it seems to work like a charm!

Do you have any favorite natural hair products?

(Image via Katie)

What's your favorite way to wear your hair?

I love my afro, but sometimes it's fun to change things up a bit. How
do you typically like to wear your hair? In a long side braid? Just
your soft, natural curls? How about a fiery red top bun?

P.S. These bobbies would look pretty in anyone's hair!

P.P.S. Last chance to enter the giveaway!

(Via We Heart It)

Short hair

The lovely Beth of Ramz and the Flock recently remarked that she was due for a haircut and that needed styling ideas for short hair. I think short hair on ladies is so pretty, which is why I think hair clips, embellished headbands and pretty earrings accentuate the cuts so well. Do you have short hair?

P.S. Check out the versatility of Ginnifer Goodwin's short locks.

(Via We Heart It)

Loopy loose top bun

I love the top bun that this San Francisco beauty is sporting. It looks so effortless and the lovely texture of her curls plays up her face so nicely. I can only imagine how pretty she looks when her lovely locks are tumbling over her shoulders. Do you like this easy-breezy hairstyle? Is your hair curly? Also, what do you think of her sunnies? I've tried on some like that were quite similar, but they just made my face look really big!

Do or don't: Turbans

This beauty seems to be rocking the trend wonderfully, but what do you think? I like turbans as a chic alternative to wearing natural hair out and I love it on the runway, but...I dunno, maybe I'll like it better in autumn and winter. Would you rock this trend? Have you ever tried it?


(Image via Style Notes by Belen)