Healhier hair, Oils & Chemical shampoos

So... I cant deny how obsessed I am with healthy, natural and beautiful hair. I have been using natural oils for a while now and I can truly say it is the only product that has really worked for me. Before I became educated on what these expensive hair 'repair' products really had inside them, I used to spend hundreds of pounds on high-end brands. Little did I know about the ingredient list on the back, which is of course labelled in scientific words that none of us actually understand unless we take the time to research them. This is a post for people who are not yet aware of the ingredients that are put into the products they are using and want to switch to a more healthy hair care routine...

SULFATES. (Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate; SLS, SLES etc.) Sulfates are found in many shampoos on the market today, even the brands that claim to be chemical free and 'healthy'. They are usually the second most concentrated ingredient in shampoo, and can cause a great deal of damage to our hair and scalp. The reason for them being in our shampoo is to create suds. Suds are an inexpensive foaming and lathering agent which is, believe it or not, used as an engine degreaser... Yes, an engine degreaser. What you are actually removing and cleaning is the natural oils that your hair wants and needs to stay healthy. There are many different types of sulfates, and they are each drying your hair out in their own ways which eventually causes breakage. Not only that, they also damage hair follicles which can result in hair loss. The absence of natural oils in your hair can cause your hair to feel dry, frizzy and leave your scalp itchy.

Most shampoos on the market today contain some type of sulfate, so just be sure to read the ingredients (even if the brand claims that they are chemical free.) Here are a few ingredients to look out for below:

Amonium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Selenium Sulfides, Ammonium Xylene Sulfonate, Sulfer, TEA Lauryl Sulfate... Pretty much anything ending in sulfonate, sulfide or sulfate. 

The first 5 ingredients listed on the back of your shampoo is what the product contains most of. 

I do not think or know that all of our hair is going to fall out if we use a chemical shampoo, I just know the improvement in my hair since switching to chemical free and natural products.

Other ingredients to look out for-

Parabens, Sodium Chloride, Polyethylene Glycol, Diethanolamine DEA, Triethanolamine TEA, Formaldehyde, Alcohol, Fragrance or Parfum, Synthetic Colours, Propylene Glycol, Lanolin, Petroleum, Mineral and Dimethicone.

Your skin produces sebum. Sebum is a greasy substance that coats and protects your hair and the hair follicles. It coats the hair and gives it a natural healthy shine. Detergents in your shampoo are actually strong enough to strip away the sebum from your hair, leaving the cuticle exposed and susceptible to damage. Chemical shampoos contain ingredients that replace the protective layer on your hair, which is why some shampoos and conditioners leave your hair feeling amazing, but only for a while, until it is next washed. Your natural hair underneath may actually not feel so good. Try to go for a shampoo with low pH. 

Of course I don't mean read every single shampoo bottle ingredient list on the market, just know what you're using and go for Sulfate, Paraben and chemical free!

There are many shampoos and hair products that are chemical/sulfate free. I use J.R. Liggett's 'old fashioned' shampoo bar, which works perfect for me. Completely natural but still lathers and cleans my hair like a liquid shampoo. I also don't use a wash-out conditioner, I use Rosemary Essential oil mixed with warm water. I spray this all over my hair whilst wet and leave it in. Both of these products have left my hair feeling amazing with so much more volume than normal shampoos and conditioners ever did. I do a 'deep' condition once a week using 100% cold pressed natural oils (Sweet Almond, Grapeseed, Coconut etc.)

The packet reads 

"Each bar is hand-cut, so no two bars are exactly alike. The way they did it over 100 years ago, here in New England. No synthetic oils, No chemical concoctions, No plastic bottles, No Detergents... This shampoo will not strip the natural oils from your hair so most people do not need a conditioner. Good for permed or coloured hair, and hair with natural curl."

Bad quality picture.

This is the most recent picture of my hair. My hair has not only grown from using natural products but also gained so much more thickness and volume. This picture was actually straight after I tried the 7 day 'Inversion Method' which, believe it or not, actually worked for me... I will post a before-and-after picture in my next post a long with a link for information on the inversion method.

Emma xo

Hair care promoting thickness & growth.. Rosemary l❤vers & new organic shampoos.

Avalon Organics

R❤SEMARY essential oil

Shampoo & Conditioner

A good addition to hair care is always Rosemary. Whether that's in its most natural form, diluted with water or mixed with oils - it always gives amazing results. Although my favourites tend to chop & change due to me always on the look out for new oils, shampoos, conditioners etc; Rosemary has been in my routine since the first day that I used it, so I am SO pleased that I came across these wonders. If you have read my hair routine blog, you probably already know how much my hair loves Rosemary essential oil and what a difference it has made to my hair's thickness and length - so when I see Rosemary shampoo & conditioner, I HAD to buy. I haven't been using these for very long but I can already tell you what a difference it has made within the first few washes! 

Avalon Organics

I am always using Paraben & SLS free products & they have completely changed my hair & scalp leaving it feeling strengthened, healthy and hydrated. (Read my blog on Chemical Shampoos and Healthier Hair: here)

For around 6 months I have been using Dr.organic products & they are definitely worth using; once you've found the right one for your hair type. There are so many different Dr.organic shampoos & conditioners! I have used a mixture of them; Manuka Honey, Coconut Oil, Vitamin E & Moroccan Argan Oil are of what I can remember.. and they all worked wonders, which is why I stuck to using them for so long! I found that the Vitamin E S&C worked best for me, but because my hair is so thick - I found that the Coconut oil, Argan oil and Manuka Honey was a bit of a nightmare to wash out - which was the only down side to these products. Numerous times I dried my hair to find that the shampoo hadn't completely washed away, so I had to rinse again until it was out. (Not ok if you're in a rush) ..But as for the Vitamin E S&C, my hair felt completely rehydrated and full bodied.. which is exactly what it says it should do. If you have finer hair, I would recommend any of the Dr.organic hair products. They work amazing once you have found one that suits you, and make such a difference to your hair and scalp. If you are thinking of trying Dr.organic products, have a read of the bottles and decide what it is that your hair needs!

Anyway. I am glad to say that the new Rosemary Avalon Organics S&C wash out within the first wash. Which makes my life just a little easier after using Dr.organic for the past half year! 

The Rosemary S&C is said to 'strengthen and thicken thin, limp, lifeless hair creating full volume and healthy shine', which is exactly what Rosemary essential oil has done for my hair ever since I first used it. Essential oils are beneficial for promoting stronger hair & reducing hair dryness and hair loss. There are many different essential oils available, and they all have their own benefits and nutrients that work differently on different hair. My favourite being Rosemary (did I mention that?) - which is used for faster growth and promoting hair thickness!!! 

(Essential oils should be used sparingly due to being so concentrated. I always dilute mine with water. Rosemary can also irritate your scalp if you use too much, so use carefully.)

I have not been using Avalon Organics for long enough to give a full review, but I am so impressed after the first few uses.. and I definitely recommend anything containing Rosemary! So if these give similar results to the essential oil on its own, then I will be using them for a very long time.

I came across these in Holland & Barrett for £5.99 per bottle!

I have also bought Avalon organics PEPPERMINT conditioner which promotes 'renewed bounce and length'.. This could be worth a try too for anyone wanting these benefits! But for now I'll be trying Rosemary and I will post a full review within the next few months!

Enjoy...    

Emma xo

Oils, hair-care routine.. & Favourites! ❤

Weekly Routine

"How do you have the time to do all of this?". 

It does not take up a lot of time at all.. You get out what you put in.. ❤ 

I do 1 deep conditioning treatment a week using my favourite carrier oil. At the moment I am using 100% Cold Pressed Sweet Almond Oil but there are all kinds of carrier oils around. I also loveeee Grapeseed oil & (occasionally) Castor & Extra Virgin Olive oil. It really depends on your own hair and what works best for you... Shop around first, maybe get some testers and see what works best for you & your hair! Each carrier oil has different nutrients and benefits for all different hair types!

Carrier oils are extremely beneficial when used in a hair care routine; they are amazing moisturisers, strengtheners and are extremely nourishing for all types of hair. Carrier oils are ordinarily a base oil or vegetable oil and are usually derived from seeds or nuts. Carrier oils are best used in their most natural and untouched form. 

I begin by putting (some of) my carrier oil into a small bottle, make sure there is enough to cover your hair from scalp to ends, it doesn't matter if any is leftover - this can be reused! I then mix 4 drops of Rosemary essential oil into my carrier (almond/grapeseed) oil. - My hair LOVES rosemary - It has worked absolute wonders for my hair length and thickness! - I give the bottle a shake and place it into a bowl of hot water and wait a few minutes for it to heat up.. Test a small drop of the oil on the palm of your hand to see if its warm, if its warm enough - begin massaging it through and onto your scalp! Keep the bottle in the water whilst doing this, this will obviously keep it warm. Massage your scalp slowly - through to your hair and eventually to your ends. You don't need to completely drench your hair in the oil - but just enough that its saturated and evenly spread! You can then wrap your hair in a warm towel or just put it into a plait/bun - I tend to just plait my hair. Leave it for an hour+, (or overnight if you have the time! Which I usually do.) and then wash it out! I promise your hair will feel amaazing!
(You may want to shampoo twice to ensure that all of the oil is out, there is nothing worse than drying your hair to find that it is still greasy from the oil.) 

I found that it helps to run hot water through my hair for a few minutes before shampooing - this lifts the oil and removes it faster with the running of the water. Shampoo (twice) and condition as normal! Preferably using a SLS/Paraben free shampoo and conditioner.
(My blog on SLS, parabens & healthier hair washing)

On the days that I am not doing a deep condition, I wash my hair typically every 3 days with a quick Rosemary spray all over when washed and still wet. This takes five minutes, literally. For this you will only need a spray bottle or a normal sized bowl, warm water and Rosemary Essential Oil (Or any essential oil of your choice.) I use a spray bottle as I find it is a lot easier to work with. I begin by filling a quarter of the bottle with warm water and then add 5 drops of Rosemary essential oil - give the bottle a shake and then spray all over wet hair and massage it into the scalp and ends! Comb your hair gently (if necessary) starting from the ends and work your way up. Do not pull or tug at your hair when brushing whilst wet as this is when your hair is at its weakest.

Essential oils are beneficial for a healthier scalp. They promote stronger hair, reduce hair dryness and hair loss. There are many different essential oils. My favourite being Rosemary - which is used for faster growth and promotes thickness. Essential oils should be used sparingly due to being so concentrated. I always dilute mine with water.

On days when I am not washing nor deep conditioning, I put sweet almond oil onto the ends of my hair. Sweet almond oil contains a high concentration of proteins and vitamins A, B and E. These will leave your hair looking shinier and prevent dryness and dullness. Almond oil also contains fatty acids that will help maintain healthier and stronger hair, preventing breakage and split ends. Almond oil will not get rid of split ends, nothing will apart from having a trim, but the oil will hold the moisture in your hair for longer periods of time which will fight against split ends.

There are many different carrier oils and essential oils, each oil has its own benefits and nutrients. They can be mixed together and used as often as you want - but ensure that they are 100% pure before purchasing!

I hope this works as well for you as it has for me!

Emma xo

Hair Growth: 1 inch in 1 week?!

Now this method may not work for everyone, but it worked for me.. and if you haven't tried it before, why not? Not only is it meant to promote hair growth because of the blood circulation,  it has also been known to improve overall health and posture. The reason for this is because you are inverting your body almost upside down. This method consists of naturally stretching the spine which may help with growth of the spine along with improving any spinal pains.

When I first came across this method online, I laughed.. I generally laughed. Right up until I actually read into it and it began to make sense...

For hair growth, the inversion method works by stimulating the scalp with a heated up natural oil. It then includes turning your head upside down for 3-4 minutes, this is said to promote hair growth by changing and increasing the blood flow to the head which is meant to be extremely helpful for new hair growth.

There are different ways to perform the inversion method. There is actually an inversion table which you can buy, but I don't know too much about that...

I am going to explain how I used this method :-)

You can use any favourite oil of your choice. I chose to use Extra Virgin Olive Oil because this is the most preferred and popular oil used for this method. I started by heating the oil up, you can do this in the microwave BUT I believe this can actually strip the oil of its nutrients, so I would recommend heating the oil by pouring some into a heat proof bottle and dipping it into hot water for a few minutes until you can feel that it has heated up. (You don't want it boiling, just warm.) Pour some into your hands and massage your scalp all-over, slowly, for as long as you like!

Once your scalp is fully saturated in the oil, sit up right on a chair and slowly begin to lean your body forward, eventually ending with your head upside down. (You can go to a 90 degree angle if you want.) Set a timer on your phone for 3-4 minutes, and just.. sit there! Once you are done, rise up slowly. That's it! Repeat this for 7 days and 7 days only, otherwise you wont notice a difference. It will mean having greasy hair for a week, but if it works for you then it will be worth it. During my inversion method week, I washed my hair about 4 times using Dr Organics Argan Oil shampoo (Sulfate and Paraben free and can be found at Holland and Barrett.) Although I had to shampoo 3 times whilst in the shower to make sure all of the oil was out, it was worth it. It is an absolute nightmare to get out of your hair, but if you have patience (like me), then you wont mind!

Before-and-after the inversion method.

The photo on the left is the day I had my hair trimmed and began the first day of the inversion method. On the right is the day after I finished the inversion treatment. 

I was actually meant to measure my hair before and after but I totally forgot! Sorry. 

You can definitely see a difference, especially as the picture on the left has been straightened, and the picture on the right has only been roughly blow-dried. 

If you have any of the conditions below then please do not try the inversion method...

• If you are or may be pregnant
• Spinal or back injury
• Heart problems
• Recent stroke
• High or low blood pressure
• Hernia
• Glaucoma or detached retina
• Obesity
• Any kind of bone injuries

Emma xo