Eleanor has taken the time to enter our Natural Hair Care Contest. Her entry is very detailed, and sheds a lot of light and direction on caring for your hair as naturally, and with as much care as possible. Thank you!
Long, natural, healthy hair: a beauty routine and some do’s and dont’s by Eleanor
My hair is 85cm (33.5 in) long, 2a N ii according to the Fia’s hair typing system.
My natural hair color is dark blonde, but I’ve been using henna to get strawberry blond/light copper hair.
I’ve been growing my hair for four years now: my goal is the “Classic Length” (upper thigh length)
Every day: I brush my hair two times a day, in the morning and in the evening, using a wooden brush and 2-3 drops of coconut or monoi oil.
I always sleep with a single braid.
Every week: I wash my hair once a week, usually in the weekends. I take my time and make it a beauty ritual.
Summer routine: I always oil my hair the evening before I shampoo, often using Naturorichè Heenara Hair Oil. The next day, I mix equal parts of Shikakai, Aritha and Orange powder: I use the Hesh brand. I add 2-3 drops of mint essential oil and leave it on for about half an hour, then rinse. Hair looks healthy, think and soft with this herbal shampoo. I tend to avoid using the hairdryer in the summertime.
Winter Routine: I use Lavera Rose Milk Shampoo. I always water down the shampoo: it’s more gentle for the hair, and money saving as well. Rinse and then apply the conditioner. A drugstore conditioner will do, but double check the ingredient list: you don’t want silicones in it. Leave on the conditioner for ten minutes then rinse with a mix of water and vinegar or citric acid: your hair will look shiny. Using a hair-drying helmet will dry your hair without overdrying them.
Every month: I henna one a month, with a mix of 50% Lawsonia and 50% Cassia, and two tablespoons of Curcuma (Turmeric). I always add Silk Proteins, Rice Proteins and Provitamin B5 to the mix. I use Aroma-Zone products, you can buy them online: they ship worldwide from France.
I leave the mix on for three hour, then rinse with water. I never shampoo after henna: I always wait 2-3 days. This prevents the color from staining.
Some do’s and don’ts for Beautiful, Healty and Natural Hair
- Do cut your hair 2 times a year. 1-2 cm (about 0,5 to 1 inch) it’s enough to keep your length full and healthy. Check for the days in crescent moon for your hair cut.Â
- Do eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water (at least 8 glasses per day) and sleep your 8 hours.
- Do make a blood test, as iron deficiency or thyroid diseases may cause a major hair loss.
- Do use Henna. Henna is much more than hair coloring, it’s the ultimate hair beautifier and conditioner. It will add extra texture and a silky touch. You hair will be stronger, healthier, shinier.
- Don’t wash your hair with harsh shampoos. Avoid SLS, SLES, and parabens. Go organic: your hair will get used to it fast, and will love it.
- Don’t expose you hair to mechanical stress: avoid brushing you hair when wet, wrapping your braids too tight, using damaging hair accessories with metal parts.
- Don’t expose your hair to chemical services and treatments (chemical hair coloring, relaxing and perming).
- Don’t expose your hair to thermal stress, such as placing a hot hair dryer too close to your hair, curling or straightening with irons).
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