Hair Care Ideas and Recipes

Hair Shine
1 teaspoon honey
4 cups warm water
squeeze of lemon

Mix ingredients well. Pour on hair after shampooing. Do not rinse.


Herb Shampoo for Dry/Normal Hair
10 ounces (283 g) coconut oil
6 ounces (170 g) tallow
4 ounces (113 g) castor oil
34 ounces (964 g) olive oil
7 ounces (198 g) lye
20 1/2 ounces (581 g) distilled water
6 drops rosemary essential oil for dark hair or chamomile essential oil for light hair
5 drops of desired fragrance

Follow Basic Soap instructions. This recipe yields some very nice shampoo bars. If you want the regular liquid shampoo, follow the next recipe.


Liquid Shampoo
5 ounces (142 g) grated shampoo bar soap
30 ounces (851 g) distilled water
1/2 teaspoon powdered pectin

Put ingredients into a saucepan and melt until smooth and well blended. Remove from heat and add 3 drops of chamomile, rosemary, or cinnamon leaf oil. Shake before each use. You can fill an empty shampoo bottle and store the rest in a larger juice container.


Parsley and Lemon Rinse for Hair and Scalp
Juice of one lemon
1/4 cup chopped parsley (two tablespoons dried)
8 ounces water

Boil parsley in water and let cool. Strain and add lemon juice. Pour on hair and scalp after shampooing. Cool rinse. Spray on leave in conditioner. Great for subtle highlights and shine. Also, cleans the scalp.


Lavender Vinegar Hair Rinse

Fill a one-quart jar 1/2 full with lavender leaves and flowers. Top with white vinegar; seal with a plastic lid, or place plastic wrap over the jar first before closing lid. Place in a dark place, such as a cupboard for 3-4 weeks. Mix one part lavender vinegar to one part distilled water and use to rinse hair after shampooing.


Rosemary Hair Treatment
Use this rinse to darken, condition and tone hair.

Hot Method: Fill a jar with fresh rosemary and cover with sunflower or almond oil. Place the jar up to the neck in a saucepan of water and bring to a medium temperature. Simmer for up to three hours. Strain through filter paper or cloth into a brown glass bottle.

Cold Method: Follow the instructions above, except that the oil should be placed on a sunny windowsill for up to three weeks instead of heated. The process can be repeated with the strained oil infusion and a fresh supply of herbs to make a stronger oil.

To Use: Work the oil into the hair, then cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel. Relax in a warm place with a good book for 30 minutes to an hour, then shampoo.