Life Hackery

A great shampoo can give your crowning glory a bouncy and luxuriant look. It works wonderfully all right, but using it all the time is not that advisable for many people. For one, it can lead to hair breakage and dryness. The chemicals found in strong shampoo formulas can also irritate the scalp and cause dandruff or even hair loss.

Don’t worry because, believe it or not, you can use many effective products as shampoo alternatives, and some of them can be even found in your home. Here are some surprising hair care alternatives that can bring the beauty back to your locks.

Aloe Vera

Believed to have been born from African soils, aloe vera is known as one of the most versatile herbs of all time. It contains natural conditioners and anti-inflammatory properties that make hair strong, healthy and soft.

You can use aloe vera either as oil or gel. As an oil, it’s massaged on the scalp, healing it and increasing blood flow, and removing stress and anxiety for a refreshing feeling. It also balances the Ph level and cleanses the pores. As a gel, it’s applied just like a shampoo, strengthening each strand and giving shine to your hair. Aloe vera gel contains wheat germ oil and coconut milk.

It can also solve various hair problems, like hair loss and hair fall. It can also remove dandruff, promoting a healthier scalp. With all these benefits, you’ll find it just as pleasant, or even more refreshing than using typical shampoo.

Soapwort

A flowering herb native to Europe and Asia, soapwort’s naturally soapy characteristics suit different hair types and promote hair growth. If you know how to transform this typical plant into a useful hair product, then you won’t need to use chemical-based shampoos anymore. Here’s one way how:

You’ll need:

• Two teaspoons fresh soapwort roots or a teaspoon of dried root soaked overnight
• Four drops of rosemary essential oil
• Two teaspoons of rosemary
• Half a liter of water

1. Get a stainless steel pan and put in the rosemary and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Use a piece of muslin or paper towel to strain it into a sieve.
3. Add the oil.
4. Every time you wash your hair, use a cupful of this instead of your shampoo. Keep the rest of the solution in the fridge, or in the freezer, if you want it to last longer.

Calendula

You often see Calendula blooming in gardens or used in bouquets, but there’s more to this lovely yellow than meets the eye. It’s a versatile herb known for its skin healing properties, like boils, chafed skin, sunburn or rashes. Calendula contains flavenoids and has anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, ideal for soothing and treating the scalp.

Calendula can be bought either as an oil or as dried flower. If you can’t find the oil type, here’s how you can make some:

1. Fill a glass jar with dried calendula flowers. Add olive oil until the flowers are completely submerged.

2. Cover the jar with a tight lid.

3. Store it in a dark cupboard. Everyday, take the jar out and give it a good shake. Do this for two weeks.

4. Strain the oil into a clean bottle or glass jar.

5. For a natural preservative, add vitamin E oil to it.

You can apply this directly onto your scalp. You can also use it to make a better calendula shampoo. Mix it with two ounces of jojoba oil, 10 drops of rosemary essential oil, 10 drops of sage essential oil and 10 drops of tea tree essential oil. Shake all of these ingredients and put in a spouted applicator bottle. It’s great for soothing scalp problems and getting rid of dandruff.

Mayonnaise

Yes, you read it right. The condiment you love to dump all over your hotdogs and fries can make your hair beautiful. Weird as it may sound, plain mayonnaise is an effective hair care product. It’s made from oil, eggs and vinegar, all of which can nourish the hair, give a protective covering and close the cuticle layer. If you’ve got some left over from making your potato salad, feel free to use it on your crowning glory.

Mayonnaise can help you get rid of split ends and dry hair. Put a dollop on the palm of your hand and massage to your head. Leave it on for five minutes, then take a bath to remove it.

Mayonnaise is also a good conditioner. Apply it to your wet hair, and then comb through to even it out. Cover with a plastic cap, then leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes while staying under a warm dryer. Rinse it off afterwards. Your hair will feel smooth and more manageable.

As effective as it may be, there’s one disadvantage when using mayonnaise: it can be pretty smelly. The trick is to wash it out thoroughly. Work your way through the scalp and use your fingers to rub it all out, so you won’t have to smell like salad dressing all day.

Eggs

Having omelette for breakfast? Leave an egg out and whip up a concoction that’ll bring luster to your hair. Since it’s found in your fridge, this is one of the easiest alternatives to make your crowning glory beautiful. Egg is rich in proteins and essential vitamins. It works to recreate hair, remove dandruff and prevent hair fall. Just mix it with a few ingredients and you’re all set.

Egg can work for various hair types. For example, if you’ve got oily hair, just beat an egg, mix some lemon juice and apply to your head. Wash after an hour. It’ll put an end to your greasy-locks dilemma.

If you love going to the beach or you’re always swimming in chlorinated water, your hair will get dull, dry and tangly. Solve this by mixing an egg, a peeled cucumber and olive oil. Spread on your hair evenly and let it stay for 10 minutes. Rinse. Your hair’s luster and silkiness will be restored.

Just like mayonnaise, egg shampoo can be stinky. To avoid this, wash your hair with rose water. Another reminder: use lukewarm water when rinsing. Water that’s too hot will not only damage your hair, but will also cook the eggs. You can also use cold water for a quick rinse, to add an extra glow to your locks.

Beer

Whether it’s for merrymaking or just something to spice up a special dinner you’ve prepared, chugging a bottle of beer is perfect, but do you know this refreshing beverage can give your hair a wonderful glow? Beer rebuilds and repairs damage hair, working as a conditioner and hair tonic. The hops in beer coat and proteins from malt give locks a delightful glow. You’ll find the result as just as intoxicating as the drink itself.

Here’s one recipe you can try. You’ll need:

• A teaspoon of jojoba oil
• A cup of warm beer

1. Mix the beer and the jojoba.
2. Wash your hair and use a small amount of shampoo to clean it. Rinse well.
3. Pour the mixture on your hair and work it through.
4. Rinse with lukewarm water.

The beer adds body to your hair, while the non-greasy jojoba adds shine and luster. Keep using this at least once a month and you won’t need to go back to your old chemical-based shampoo and conditioner anymore.

Beer also works as a good setting lotion for blow-dried hair, increasing its hold, vitality and resilience, making it look crisp and healthy. Just put some in a pump bottle and spray all over your hair. Towel dry it, then proceed with blow-drying or styling.

A beer rinse is effective, but it can give your hair a musty, sour smell. To prevent this dilemma, pick a beer brand that doesn’t have a very strong odor. Another idea is to use chamomile tea. Boil a cup and let it cool, then wash it all over your hair. Rinse it after, for a refreshing, beer-less smell.

If you’ve got a can or bottle of beer leftover in your fridge, go ahead and try these unique ideas. You’ll be bedazzled by the shining locks you’ll have. Bottoms up!

Caring for your hair doesn’t mean you have to keep using harmful chemical-based shampoos. For a natural and beautiful look, try these strange, but effective tactics for your locks next time.