Calling All Mixologists: Five Stellar Ingredients You Won't Want To Be Without!

After looking at this pic, I'm thinking about attempting a roller-set. [source]

We all have those products we banish to the back of our cupboard. The ones we bought with high hopes yet didn't live up to our expectations. If you are looking for ways to make use out of those products but don't know where to start, this post is for you!

All these ingredients can be found online via the same online retailer [I hyperlinked each ingredient for your convenience], and added to your favorite or not-so favorite products. The amounts specified are for full 8-12oz bottles of product. Read on for the deets!


Panthenol:

• Imparts a healthy sheen to hair
• Increases moisture retention
• Fills in cracks along the hair shaft resulting in stronger hair with added body
• Increases elasticity of the hair
• Panthenol is able to penetrate the hair shaft easily making it a wonderful addition to shampooand conditioner
• Helps repair chemically damaged hair

Up the ante on your favorite shampoo or conditioner by adding about 5-10 drops of panthenol to the bottle. Shake well and enjoy [the benefits, that is]!

Silk Amino Acids:

• Strengthens and repairs the hair shaft
• Protects the hair without weighing it down
• Imparts shine
• Lends a silky texture to hair
• Balances moisture of the hair
• Improves elasticity
• Water soluble which significantly decreases chances of hard to remove buildup
• Permeates and protects hair from the damaging effects of alkaline-like substances [relaxers, color services]

Add 5-10 drops of Silk Amino Acids to your favorite shampoo, conditioner, leave-in, or heat protectant - Make sure to shake well!

Guar Silk:

• Softens hair making detangling much easier
• Thickens hair strands without buildup
• Smooths highly textured kinks, coils and curls

Add 1/8 teaspoon to your favorite shampoo or conditioner and shake well.


Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein:

• Penetrates deep into the cortex of the moisturizing it from the inside out making it an excellent conditioning agent
• Fills in gaps along the hair shaft from chemical services and mechanical damage [combing, brushing]
  
• Helps cuticles to lay flat which helps immensely with the detangling process
• Imparts sheen and body to badly damaged hair
• Strengthens hair

Add 5-10 drops of Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein to your favorite shampoo or conditioner. Add 1-2 drops to your favorite leave-in. Remember to shake well.


Argan Oil: Although Argan Oil has been around for ages, it's popularity sky rocketed over the last few years due to manufacturing companies on the hunt for "exotic" ingredients to add "label appeal". These ingredients are usually marketed as "exotic", "rare" or "ancient secrets" and while effective, are usually a ploy to get more money from the consumers.


You can purchase your own argan oil from a reputable vendor that deals in raw ingredients to make sure you are actually getting 100% Argan Oil. Not the Soybean Oil + Argan Oil mix that is available on most of the cosmetic counters. Add Argan Oil to your favorite conditioner, shampoo and leave-in to add shine, softness and increase combability. About a 1/4 teaspoon per application should suffice. 

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Bentonite Clay Hair Mask Treatment >> Video

I absolutely love Bentonite Clay treatments. I usually do them about once a month and it always leaves my hair soft, manageable, and strong! I also have better curl definition and tons of body! - This treatment was done on unwashed, slightly damp hair as an alternative to clarifying my hair with shampoo. 

The Acetic Acid in Apple Cider Vinegar gently removes product buildup, excess sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Apple Cider Vinegar is also beneficial for treating dandruff, nourishing the follicles, and strengthening hair at the roots. 

You can find Bentonite Clay in most Health Food stores. Aztec Indian Healing Clay is the brand I normally find in stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Vitamin Shoppe.

Bentonite Clay masks are beneficial for:

• Transitioners and naturals alike that are looking for a gentle way to clarify
• People who have adverse reactions to shampoo [allergic reactions etc]
• Those looking for natural alternatives to include in their regimen periodically

Bentonite Clay benefits:

• Gently draws out oils, dirt, dead skin cells and product buildup
• Imparts sheen
• Improves wet-combability [which makes detangling a breeze]
• Enhances natural curl pattern
• The nutrients in the Bentonite Clay nourishes the follicles

Points To Remeber:

• You can do this treatment as often as you like
• You can use any liquid of choice [herbal infusions, tea, apple cider vinegar, and coconut cream are all know to produce desirable results]
• For best results, don't let the clay mixture dry on your hair [I usually leave the mixture on for about 20-30 minutes]
• Because Bentonite Clay draws oils and toxins from your tresses, it is recommended that you follow up with a conditioning treatment to restore a bit of moisture
• Do not use metal utensils or bowls to aid in mixing the Bentonite, as contact could reduce the therapeutic effects of the clay [due to the chemical reaction of the metal interacting with the clay].

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