Biotique Mountain Ebony Fresh Growth Stimuating Serum {Product Review}

This is one of the few hair range products from Biotique which I absolutely would recommend to anyone especially if they have sensitive scalp or suffer with scalp issues.

Price: 159 INR for 120 ml (little pricy, I guess!!!)

Ingredients

Ingredients - Neem, Licorice Root powder, Long pepper, Safflower, Pudina, Mountain Ebony (in order of listing)

Read here about Mountain Ebony.

My Experience

Ok, so let me start with its smell. Really weird and very herbal but not very offensive so nothing to worry about. Now, the look and feel. If you read the ingredient list, you can find that the main ingredient of the product is water so yup, it is watery. Entirely watery and not a gel or a fluid or even a slight bit viscous. When you pour the product on to your hand, it runs and escapes almost like water. So, that becomes a problem with the product. Since its so watery, the application is a little difficult so you have to figure out the exact method on how to apply. My favorite way is to use the Wella hair developer which I use to apply hair oil too. That way, you can be sure you have covered every area on your scalp and the product doesn't go waste coz it gets applied on the scalp. And, while applying, you would automatically need to massage the product in otherwise it will run off the scalp. Now, let me talk a little about the product now. 

Biotique says "This intensive serum helps stimulate new and healthy hair growth. Leaves scalp feeling exhilarated, free from dryness and irritation". When you apply it to the scalp, it feels very cool and soothing to the scalp. It is very good for the scalp which is pretty sensitive and itchy. It calms the scalp on the days when your hair is paining or scalp is aching. Well, regarding the hair growth claims, I am not completely sure but I am not even ruling it out coz I have definitely seen some changes but since I am not entirely sure, I will talk about this claim if I see any positive proof of this claim. One more thing which I would add to the positives of this product is that it relives the dryness and oiliness of the scalp. Yes, it can do both. I don't know how it is possible but I think it balances out the oil production. The proof for this is that I have dry scalp sometimes which is easily cured when I apply this. And, once I had applied this after oiling my hair since I didn't wash it that day, my scalp looked almost oil free after a while. 

A word of caution is that this product is only for the scalp and not the hair so it shouldn't be applied on the hair. And, massaging the product in improves blood circulation too. And, after applying this product, do not comb your hair because the scalp is little wet with the product and hairs may break if you try to comb. I always apply this product at night and this can be applied everyday without fail. It doesn't make the scalp greasy or anything so one need not worry about that. This product is suitable for every kind of hair type and scalp type.

My Recommendation

Yes, absolutely coz it is very effective and not that expensive.

READ MORE - Biotique Mountain Ebony Fresh Growth Stimuating Serum {Product Review}

Aloe vera Hibiscus Hair Pack {DIY}

This is a simple DIY hair pack which is extremely awesome. In many of my previous posts, I have repeatedly talked about aloe vera being so good for hair and also about hibiscus leaves and flowers. So, this hair pack has only these two ingredients.

Ingredients (enough for shoulder length hair):

• 1 whole aloe vera leaf (preferably thick and fresh)
• a handful of hibiscus leaves 
• 5-10 hibiscus flowers (optional)

Method: Extract the aloe pulp from the leaf and grind all the ingredients together. It will form a green gooey paste of a thick consistency. Do not dilute it. Partition hair into sections and apply the paste properly to the scalp first and then the body of your hair. Leave the pack on your hair for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Cover with a shower cap for better results. Wash off with water. It is good to follow with reetha-shikakai instead of using a shampoo, if possible.   

Big disadvantage with the pack is that it is really sticky and difficult to wash off so it needs patience with that. Otherwise, you will find green bits in your hair afterward while combing. They do come out then but it is better to wash them off properly. 

Results: I kept the paste on my hair for an hour or so and washed my hair with reetha. My hair was really soft. In fact it is soft even after two washes after applying the pack and the hair was noticeably shiny. 

The pack is also supposed to help with hair loss and promotes hair growth but I can't vouch for it coz I have used it only once. But, the ingredients are good for all the claims. But, the immediate results are amazing so give this one a try. A great break from the regular smelly hair packs having egg or curd. 

READ MORE - Aloe vera Hibiscus Hair Pack {DIY}

How much are you stressing your hair? {Hair Care}

Though Hair is a dead part of the body made up of proteins, it is extremely delicate and should be handled very carefully. So, whatever you do on your hair can stress it out. That is why it is said that you should handle your hair like a 'delicate lace'. The various actions include shampooing, conditioning, styling, coloring, combing, brushing and other chemical treatments on the hair. So, among all of these, shampooing, conditioning and combing are somewhat unavoidable and are done by everyone. So, there are a certain points which must be taken care of. 

• First is to shampoo your hair in the right way. Always partition your hair while washing. That will decrease the tangles and cleans the scalp nicely.
• Now, coming on to conditioning, condition your hair ears down and apply enough of conditioner to cover the hair strands but don't apply too much or try to lather with the conditioner. A partitioned hair makes it easy for you to condition your bangs. 
• So, no stress while your hair is wet. Do not flip your head or crunch your hair in the towel to squeeze out the water. Gently press the hair to remove excess water or put a towel round your shoulder to catch the dripping water. Doing anything more than that can result in hair breakage as wet hair is really delicate. 
• Let your hair air dry whenever you can. Well, if you are in a hurry, gently press an old t-shirt and remove excess water. Use a hair dryer on warm setting till your hair becomes just damp and then finish with a cold blast and then comb it out gently. Do not use the highest setting of your hair dryer ever on your naked hair. It is also easy to style damp hair and by the time you get ready, your hair would be completely dry. 
• No brushing till your hair is completely dry. And, actually, curly hair gals should use a hair brush very sparingly. Always choose a natural bristle brush and the base of the brush should be wooden. 
• Be gentle on your hair while combing and brushing it. Maximum of the damage happens during combing and brushing only if you are not using irons and straighteners and curlers and all. 
• Hair Coloring is again a big no-no. If you really want to get it colored, go to a good salon and get a good service from an experienced hair stylist and use quality products to take care of your hair afterward. 

Now, apart from all the above-mentioned points, I wanted to focus on tying your hair. In our country, especially, in the South, you will always find girls with oiled and tightly tied braids. That is one of the worst things which can happen to the hair. Leaving your hair open doesn't mean you are exceptionally fashionable. Yes, there are people who still believe in it.

Actually keeping your hair tied all the time has a very opposite effect on the hair. It stresses the hair a lot. Hair is supposed to be tied very gently and loosely so that none of your strands are tensed. If your hair is tied so tight, it can damage the hair follicles itself. I remember once when I was very young one my sis-in-law braided my hair so tight that it hurt right from the roots. Oh my god!!! I can remember it til today though it had happened sometime in 90's. 

Actually, it is advised to leave your hair open for as long as you can. There is no point in tying your hair when you can leave it open. Especially when you are at home or sitting in the office or inside a car or in any enclosed environment where you know your hair won't get dirty or damaged. That way there will be proper air circulation to the the roots of your hair and the scalp too. Otherwise, if there is no proper air circulation, the sweat and the natural oils produced can clog the hair follicles and inhibit hair growth and this if continued on a longer period would cause hair loss and hair breakage. So, it is always advised to keep your hair open whenever you can. Ans, another very healthy exercise for your hair is to stay in mild sunlight -  the morning or the evening sunlight for sometime to let the air and sunlight circulate through your hair and the scalp. This keeps your hair and scalp healthy.

Now, I would also want to add here that even the people facing lots of hair fall can keep their hair open. There is simply nothing to be afraid of. But, I would say use your own judgement coz it would be very foolish to leave your hair open in a completely windy and dusty area. It would have negative effects. So, if you are using public transport or an open-air transport or you know that you will be in the sun, always protect your hair with a scarf. Always tie your scarf comfortably otherwise it will hinder the circulation in the head and scalp resulting in unwanted headaches and tie your hair loosely inside the scarf. 

One more point I would mention is to never sleep with your hair open. It always causes tangles in the hair. Comb and brush your hair neatly, tie it in a loose side-swept braid and sleep on a satin or silk pillow cover to reduce the friction and dehydration caused by rubbing of hair on the pillow covers and in the morning, as soon as you get up, open your braid and comb out your hair gently. You will not find any tangles. And, I don't know if there is a myth 'if you sleep with your hair open, it will grow fast'. That is entirely untrue and nothing as such happens. Only relation which hair growth has with sleep is that hair grows more during your sleep which means your beauty sleep is essential for hair growth but tied or untied hair has nothing to do with that.

Also, read Routine Hair Care post to get more tips on hair care. 

READ MORE - How much are you stressing your hair? {Hair Care}

How to apply onion juice on hair {Hair Care}

Very long back I had done a post on onion for hair growth. So, I had mentioned that I had been facing hair fall in the months of November to January and gradually my hair fall did reduce after using the Biotique Musk Root hair pack. But, my hair had thinned to quite and extent so I recalled that I could use onion juice remedy. So, I used it every time I used to oil my hair and my hair thickened visibly within 15 days.

How to use onion for hair?

An easier way to use onion juice for hair is to mix it with the hair oil. I grated onion and squeezed the grated onion to extract the juice. Yes, the whole process is a little difficult coz it stings the eyes badly and onion does stink badly too :( So, mix onion juice with hair oil. You can mix in the proportion of 50-50 or 75-25 for onion juice-hair oil. Both would not mix properly coz juice is watery and water and oil don't mix well so shake the whole mixture well while applying. Start by applying the mixture on the scalp first properly and then apply to the complete hair. It will stink a lot definitely but trust me results are definitely worth it. Using essential oils may be useful in reducing the stink of onion so you can try that. Another advice I can give is to use rosemary essential oil too (5 drops per application) coz Rosemary is amazing for hair growth.

You can also do a hot oil treatment using this mixture every time you are about to wash your hair. You can keep this mixture overnight or for at least an hour before shampooing off. Another thing I would mention is that do not worry about the onion stink remaining in the hair coz it gets washed off while shampooing and conditioning the hair. So, don't worry about that. You can also mix onion juice in the hair packs you use weekly. It also helps with controlling hair loss.

READ MORE - How to apply onion juice on hair {Hair Care}

Apply oil right to the scalp {Hair Care}

I have spoken a lot about the Hot Oil Treatment for strong and beautiful hair. So, I was once watching a video on youtube and the lady in it had said that it helps to use a bottle with a tapering opening for applying the oil right to the scalp. Since then, I have been searching for a bottle like that. And, since you all know I had colored my hair with Wella which had a similar shaped developer bottle. So, I decided that instead of throwing away that bottle, I could use it in my biweekly routine of applying oil to my scalp.

So, I washed the bottle nicely and dried it and then poured oil in it. I kept the bottle for sometime in really hot water to heat the oil. After around 15 minutes, I took out the bottle and poured the oil right on the scalp by partitioning the hair. And, massaged the scalp nicely. This was a useful tool which allows a better application of oil to the scalp instead of using simple fingers.

The best part of following this procedure is that (I don't know if it is my misconception) but the procedure feels very relaxing and soothing as compared to applying oil with fingers. If you have heard of Shirodara ayurvedic technique, it involves pouring of oil on the forehead in a particular rhythm and pattern. It is supposed to be extremely relaxing and has healing benefits for the body too. Similarly, using the applicator for pouring oil on the scalp has a similar relaxing effect. Also, this is an easier way to apply oil for people extremely dense and thick hair. 

READ MORE - Apply oil right to the scalp {Hair Care}

Biotique Bio Musk Root Hair Mask {Product Review}

I do love to try hair products. So, this is my second hair mask after the disastrous wastage of my money on Himalaya Hair Loss Cream.And, thankfully, this was not at all disastrous. Now, I find Biotique to be a decent brand with some really good products and some average products. So, I am not able to decide how should I categorize this product. So, find it out for yourself.

Price: 199 INR for 230gms

Ingredients

I threw away the outer carton so I do not have the list of ingredients. From the site, the description of the product is as follows:

Therapeutic Pack for Hair Regrowth. An original formula. A unique combination of herbs from ancient Ayurveda which promote hair growth. Contains Musk Root, Beal, Liquorice and Nutmeg which help to rejuvenate the hair and leave it in a superb condition. Invigorates and revitalizes the scalp and adds body to the hair. It immerses hair and scalp in natural minerals and organic riches and leaves even dry and chemically treated hair luxuriously full and alive.

How to use it??

 

The product says that it should be mixed with eggs or yogurt. So, I used eggs in my preparation.

  

One egg broken in a bowl. I use a plastic one as I can throw it away after some uses.

I mixed one heaped tablespoon of the hair pack in the egg. The hair pack is jet black in color and resembles Chawanprash a lot. But, the texture of the hair pack is not smooth. It has little granules and small stems like things in it which look as if the fresh ingredients have been mixed together in a grinder and it manages to smell fresh too. The pack smells a lot herbal and is strong enough to irritate some people. I find it tolerable enough but it doesn't smell after mixing with egg or after applied to the hair so it is perfectly fine.

After mixing it thoroughly, the mixture becomes something like this. It should applied liberally on the scalp and hair. Cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes. Wash off with luke warm water and shampoo.

My Experience

First of all, one heaped spoon of hair pack wasn't enough for my little longer than shoulder hair with very less density. So, next time I used it, I put 3 eggs and two heaped spoons of the hair pack. So, a medium hair length requires two eggs and two heaped spoons of the hair pack for a generous application. So, how did I find the hair pack??

Well, if you try to apply it directly from the tub, let me tell you it is simply not possible. You will have to mix it with something and only then can you apply it. So, eggs and yogurt are best choices but you can also include other fav ingredients of your choice including essential oils and all. So, it is not exactly a ready made hair pack. You do need to spend little time in preparing it. But, I would not advise you to mix it with henna in case you are coloring your hair coz you need to shampoo hair after using this hair pack. So, after you prepare it, partition your hair and scalp into sections as it is a little gooey and is not as easily applicable as using just eggs. Be very generous with the application because otherwise you would not see much of results. I have done that and have seen the difference so it is a little advise from my side. Covering your hair with a shower cap or cling film is an absolute necessity otherwise one might find it drying for the hair and it is difficult to get rid of the hair pack while washing off. Well, I did. And, using a shower cap definitely gives better results as it traps heat and increases the absorption of the hair pack. Do not keep it more than half hour and in any case never more than an hour. Keeping it for more time is not gonna give your hair more nutrients or anything. So, once the half hour mark crosses, it is better to prepare for bath and enter it asap.

Now, washing off the hair pack will definitely create a lot of mess on the bathroom floor and the hair pack would not completely leave your hair either. So, be gentle and patient while removing the hair pack. Use lukewarm water (neither cold nor warm or hot) and patiently remove as much hair pack as you can. You will still find lot of granules left in your hair. Do not worry about them. Use a mild shampoo and shampoo your hair thoroughly. The granules will be gone by the time you finish shampooing your hair. There is no need to condition after using this hair pack but if you still want, you can. But, remember not to use too much of shampoo or conditioner. Shampooing your hair twice might be necessary to get rid of the hair pack thoroughly. Rinse your hair thoroughly to make sure it is completely clean. And, air dry your hair. Do not blow dry.

Now, for the results. Remember to be generous with the hair pack and you would get fabulous results. When I was generous with the pack, I got a beautiful shiny and bouncy hair. The shine and bounce do last for the next day too. My hair was looking a bit darker than it usually does. Hair behaves properly and is manageable. And, the oil production in the scalp might increase after two days of applying the pack. I have noticed this result every time I have applied this hair pack whether miserly or generous. But, other results were no so apparent when I was not generous with the hair pack. This hair pack is for the dry and damaged hair to give it nutrition and life so this hair pack does that job fabulously even though there is a little work involved. It moisturizes the hair as it claims and keeps it moisturized for at least two days after the hair wash.

Now, moving to its other claim of hair growth, I have not seen any difference but then hair growth is controlled by various other factors like nutrition and lifestyle and not only a hair pack so I would not blame a hair pack for that thing. There is one problem with this hair pack. The tub has only 230 grams of the hair pack which if applied generously every week can get finished in a month at max for a medium hair length so that can be a disadvantage to people who are looking for long lasting products.

My Recommendation

This hair pack is worth a try and is not absurdly costly that one can not afford it. It does give great results for people with damaged hair. Regarding its problem of less quantity, it does improve the hair quality so after a month of regular application of this hair pack, the frequency of application can be reduced to once in two weeks or three weeks so as to make the product long lasting. And, even if you are looking for hair growth, I would definitely advise this pack because it improves the hair quality and it is very important to have healthy hair before you think of growing it.This hair pack is absolute must for people with curly hair because curly hair, by nature, varies from mildly dry to extreme dryness.

Update: Well, I forgot to mention some salient points about this product which I recalled while reading your comments. First of all, as you have seen in the pic above, the consistency of the hair pack is just same as henna so it is very messy to apply. Be prepared to scrub your wash basin if you ignore it or as soon as you finish applying the hair pack and putting the shower cap in place, wash your wash basin with water immediately. As I mentioned earlier, you will deifnitely have to clean your bathroom after washing this off.

Secondly, I completely forgot about this point but I have been facing major hair loss since November or onset of winters. Donno if it is the climate or this hair pack but my hair loss has reduced considerably. So, may be this hair pack helps in hair loss too but I am not vouching for this fact and it is not even mentioned on the product that it helps with hair loss. 

READ MORE - Biotique Bio Musk Root Hair Mask {Product Review}

Patanjali Tejus Tailum Body and Hair Oil {Product Review}

So, here is another of the product from the collection of Baba Ramdev. This is not much of a review coz I never got to using it as such. Well, I'll explain that in a minute.This oil is supposedly a body massage oil but also good for hair. It also is said to improve the muscle strength. The color of the oil is dark brown though my bottle is empty.

Price: 60 INR for 100ml

Ingredients

A very impressive list of ingredients. Let me just recount them in case the pic is not clear. Sorry for the flash but this was the most clear pic I got. So, every 10 ml of the oil contains almond oil, olive oil, walnut oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, soyabean oil, peanut (groundnut) oil, mustard oil and castor oil in some proportions. So, reading the list of ingredients, anyone would be tempted to buy the oil.

My Experience

Ok, so as I said that I never got to using the oil as such. What I really meant by that statement was that I couldn't bring myself to use it afetr at max 2-3 times in the starting. Why?? The first time I opened the bottle, my head started to ache. The smell of this oil is too strong to bear. And, it is really very very strong. I have never been fan of strong perfumes and deos but this one takes the cake and the icing. I really fail to understand that why do they need to put a perfume when you are selling natural products. Had that smell not been there, I probably would have fallen in love with the oil. But, now I would never find out :(

It surely is a great product owing to the fabulous ingredients. I did manage to apply the oil as a body lotion one or two nights in the start and it was moisturizing enough. My skin didn't feel dry or parched. Very little oil is enough. No difference in the smoothness of the skin by morning though but then I didn't really notice that. But, then one or two days might not be enough. I applied it once on my hair but didn't notice any difference. It would be unfair of me to say that the product is worthless coz I really didn't use it enough to judge. So, the only point I would put is that this is not for people who can't handle smells. 

I really wish Ayurvedic products do not go into the cosmetics gimmick of great fragrances and elaborate packaging which costs more than the worth of the product. I wish I could send them a feedback about this. So, why is my bottle empty. I didn't know how to use this oil so I mixed the oil with baby oil and kumkumadi oil and used it. The fragrance did soften down after mixing and my body did glow but then I am not sure about the reason coz it might have been this oil or the kumkumadi oil or even my apricot soap which I have been using and it is excellent. So, I am kinda confused about that. I'll surely use this oil alone if I buy it next time but that is unlikely so anyone who has used the oil is using, please do comment and share your reviews :) I would love to hear your experience about the product.

My Recommendation

Not to be too biased but this oil is definitely not for people who can't take strong smells. This might be a good product but you certainly do not want to harm your smell sense. Those who can take really strong perfumes and deos can give this a try.

READ MORE - Patanjali Tejus Tailum Body and Hair Oil {Product Review}

A simple recipe for Hair Growth

Well, if you will recall, I had posted a rather elaborate hair oil recipe for faster hair growth. Not that the ingredients would not be available easily or it does not work but it might seem cumbersome to make in short batches and you might be tempted to make a very large batch. And, apart from all these things, with my experience since I have posted the recipe, I have realized that instead of adding a whole lot of different things in a mix of oils, it would be better to focus on a combination of one oil and one herb. Otherwise, the concoction can become too heavy for the hair and the herbs might counteract their effects. So, I have just reduced the elaborate recipe into something very simple and basic.

Hair Oil Recipe

- Any one base oil of your choice (Coconut oil, Mustard oil, Olive oil, Sesame oil, Almond oil or any other)

- Any herb of your choice (Huge Range of Herbs depending on your hair need)

Infuse the herb in the oil according to these instructions. And, voila, your hair oil is ready. 

I have talked about too many herbs in the earlier hair oil recipe itself including various flowers, leaves and other herbs. You can choose any one of them at a time and make the infusion. I have few pointers which you should read before embarking on infusions:

• Never use oils like Vitamin E oil, Evening Primrose oil, Fish Oils for making any infusions. Just stick to the basic oils. 
• Do not even use Castor oil as it is very thick and sticky like goo and is very difficult to wash off if used individually. Though Castor oil has myriad benefits for hair, you need to mix this oil with any other light oil like coconut, almond, olive, jojoba, mustard and such. Either use 50-50 or 75-25 concentrations of base oil and Castor oil respectively.
• Avoid mixing other oils as they might get heavy too. 
• Each time you are making infusions, choose a different oil and different herb. This way you will be giving the much needed benefit of various herbs and oils to your hair and will also come to know how your hair reacts to each one of them so that you can choose only the best for the next time.

READ MORE - A simple recipe for Hair Growth

Vitamin E and Evening Primrose for Healthy Hair

No, I am not talking of supplements. This is a little advise which I got from my hair stylist when I went for a haircut. Every time you oil your hair, pour a tablet of vitamin E oil and Evening Primrose Oil in the oil and put the container in hot water for 10-15 minutes to heat it up and then, massage the oil in your hair. It helps in prmoting hair growth and keeps your hair healthy. Another advantage of doing this is that your hair will recover from breakages it might be suffering from. 

Another tip is that you can also pour contents of 5-6 vitamin E tablets in your hair conditioner as well (both leave-in and after-shampoo). This method will help your hair heal better from any dryness and split ends too.

Update: An important detail which I completely forgot to mention earlier. You might also be wondering of how and which supplements to get hold of. So, I was suggested Evion (Vitamin E supplements) and Primosa (Evening Primrose supplements) and they were pretty easy to get hold of. You should be able to find them in any drug store near your house. And, Evion is just 15 Rs per strip and Primosa is a little expensive at around 100 Rs. So, I would say use Primosa tablet once a week and Evion tablets at least twice or thrice a week both in oiling and conditioners for better results.

READ MORE - Vitamin E and Evening Primrose for Healthy Hair

Faster Hair Growth Recipe

I had posted an article on hair oil which stimulates faster hair growth sometime back. Today, I would like to share yet another recipe of hair oil which also makes our hair grow fast. It is easy to make and the process is also not elaborate. The best thing about this recipe is that all ingredients are available in dry form so you can start right away without any preliminary preparations.

Ingredients:

- 1 table spoon black pepper seeds

- 1 table spoon fenugreek seeds

- 1 table spoon fennel seeds

- 1 table spoon sesame seeds (white or black)

- 1 table spoon dried ginger powder (available in general stores or you can dry a ginger root at home too)

Method:

Pour oil in a cup and place a cheese cloth in it. Place the seeds and powder in the cheese cloth and tie it on the top so that it remains in a standing position instead of dropping into the oil. Now, infuse these ingredients in the oil. 

This recipe is very powerful and shows immediate results.

READ MORE - Faster Hair Growth Recipe

Onion for hair growth

So, has anyone heard of using onion to combat hair growth. Well, its true. And, I can assert this because I have tried it on myself. Onion is rich in sulfur which is one of the essential nutrients in promoting hair growth. So, if you are facing a lot of hair fall problems or have developed any bald patches on your head, try onion. It stimulates hair growth. It is also beneficial for people who want to increase the length of their hair. But, putting onion on a very healthy hair would really not show much difference. Onion is also useful for treating dandruff and other scalp infections like dry scalp or itchy scalp. For any major infections, you should definitely consult a doctor. Onion is not a medication.

The easiest way to do is to collect the outer peels of the onion which are to be discarded (while cutting the vegetables) and blend them. Put them in a sieve cloth and extract the liquid. Apply the liquid on your scalp. You can also apply the blended onion paste directly too. The smell would be stinking so you have to wash your hair after that. Keep it on for half- hour or as long as you can and then wash off with a mild shampoo. Do this as many times as you can in a week and you will see results within a month or two. You have to be consistent with the treatment. You can also add fenugreek paste to condition your hair simultaneously. Try to be innovative. Add eggs, honey, fruits, oils or anything else you are in a mood for.

Another advantage of applying onion on your hair is it will give you hair a nice coppery shade. It makes your hair look glossy. But, if you want to maintain the natural color of your hair, mix the onion blend with adequate amount of mustard oil. The oil will prevent the color lightening caused by onions. And, you can increase your daily consumption of onions for a beautiful hair.

READ MORE - Onion for hair growth

Is Mustard Oil good for skin?

I have read about so many oils being good for the body but never heard from anyone about the usage of mustard oil on the body. But, when I 'googled' it, I found so many references for its usage on skin. Ok, lets talk first about its use on hair.

Mustard Oil is considered extremely good for hair growth. Using it regularly will keep your hair from going gray. Yes, if you want a proof, you can ask your grandmothers and ladies of the same age who have been using mustard oil since years and still have dark hair. Of course, it also depends on your diet. But, instead of dying, you can saturate your hair with mustard oil every night before you shampoo your hair and enjoy the benefits. Mustard Oil does not allow fungal growth making it useful for avoiding scalp infections. The oil is considered to be highly beneficial in treating dry and damaged hair. It is known to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth. You can couple the mustard oil with castor or coconut oil to massage on your hair for beautiful shiny smooth hair. And, you may even infuse the mustard oil with various herbs as instructed in the Hair Oil recipe for Faster Hair Growth for better results.

Coming to skin care with mustard oil, its a very debated topic that whether it should be used on skin or not. Actually it depends on how the mustard oil has been produced or extracted. The cooking oil is produced by simply pressing the seeds and extracting the oil where as the essential oil is produced by mixing the seeds with water which produces a compound Allyl Isothiocyanate which irritates the skin. So, if you are planning to use mustard oil on your skin, go for the cooking oil which is available in the general stores. Make sure that you do a patch test before using the oil. If your skin is sensitive and hypoallergenic, its best not to use the oil.  You should stop using the oil immediately if you suffer from any skin reaction. Always prefer a cold pressed mustard cooking oil. Though mustard oil has been used for centuries for massaging purposes, I would advise you not to use this oil on children and babies or you can perform a patch test before you use it on them since their skin is much more sensitive than ours. One thing to consider is that if you feel warming sensations after applying the oil, it is not the skin reaction but the increase in blood circulation which is a good thing and surely not a reason to stop using mustard oil.

And, I surely invite your opinions on the usage of mustard oil on skin.

READ MORE - Is Mustard Oil good for skin?

Natural way to bring Shine to your hair

This blog is dedicated to being natural and make the most of the natural resources. Now, a question to ponder upon; how much do we really make use of the nature around us like sun, water, food or wind? They are the best nourishment you can give to your body and yes, today's post is dedicated to some of these nature's forces and their benefits on hair.

Have you ever been on a walk out in the early morning at sunrise? If you have, you would know how serene, soothing and calm it feels. The breeze is relaxing and the sun invigorating. You do not need to exercise. You can just take a walk and enjoy the sun and wind. And, while taking walk, open your hair and let your hair also feel the sunlight and wind. Fresh air and sun in mild amounts are very beneficial to the health of the hair and its growth. Let every strand of your hair get sunlight and the air and see the difference in your hair. Your hair would also feel rejuvenated and lively. It will shine with all its health.

Next time you get out of the shower, let your hair air dry your hair in direct sunlight till it becomes just near to damp and finger comb your hair while you are at it. This would contribute to increasing the shine of your hair. But, always remember, do not over do it. Sun in excess quantities is really not good for hair or skin so keep it mild and enjoy the benefits.It also helps to promote hair growth.

Tip for straight hair people: Let your hair dry naturally in direct sun and finger comb while it dries. This would make your hair naturally wavy without styling it.

READ MORE - Natural way to bring Shine to your hair

Lakme Vital Indulgence: Review

I am going to discuss with you something different today. This is for people who are suffering from hair loss and have tried for treatments. Either you have been to your dermatologist or have been gulping down number of vitamin supplements, but, yet you have found no cure. Well, I do not really say that I have got the cure for you. Recently, I went to Lakme Salon for a hair cut. The hair dresser who was washing my hair said that I have really less volume and I should go for Vital Indulgence hair treatment. The hair treatment is mainly to reduce hair loss. As such, I am not suffering from hair loss. But, a gradual decrease in my hair volume has been brought because of many factors ranging from sun exposure and water change to diet imbalances. So, the next time I went to the salon, I got this Vital Indulgence Service done. I can not say that there was much difference in just one sitting because I had no hair loss and hair does take time to grow. But, I found the service to be good and effective for what it promises. I can say for all those hair loss sufferers that you can give this service a try. It is definitely better than playing with your body by giving all those supplements which do you no good and prove harmful if taken in large dosages. 

Read the review of Vital Indulgence here.

READ MORE - Lakme Vital Indulgence: Review

Home Remedy for Hair Loss

I will be sharing with you a very simple home remedy for hair loss and promote hair growth.

• Collect the lime seeds and dry them in the sun for a day or two. 
• Mix the lime seeds with black pepper seeds and grind them or powder them. 
• You can store the powder for use but not more than a month. It is better to make a fresh batch every time.  
• For application, take an adequate quantity of the powder to cover whole of you scalp and mix it with water to make a paste. Apply everyday on the scalp for 30 minutes to 1 hour.  And, if  not everyday, make sure you use it once a week. Wash off with cold water. You need not follow it with shampoo. 
• Alternatively, you can take all the seeds (lime, black pepper and fengreek). Soak them in water overnight. Make a paste of the ingredients. Apply it on the scalp. Best results if done at least thrice a week.

READ MORE - Home Remedy for Hair Loss

Natural Shampoo-cum-Conditioner to increase hair growth {DIY}

Some days back, I had posted about the need of co-washes. Today, I am posting a recipe for a natural conditioner which can be used during a co-wash. Actually, it can also be used as a shampoo. We all know how good is hibiscus for our hair. Yes, you guessed it right. The natural shampoo-cum-conditioner is made from hibiscus flowers and leaves.

Method: Soak some hibiscus flowers and leaves (around 5 flowers and 15-20 leaves) in 2 liters of water overnight. Make sure that the leaves are thick and use the fresh flowers. Next morning or evening, boil the water till it remains half in quantity. The liquid would be green in color and thick in texture. Strain it in a bottle and store it in the fridge. Use this liquid while co-washing your hair. You can also substitute your shampoos with this natural shampoo. It can also remove a little oil in your hair. But, mind you, it can not remove a oil from a well-oiled hair. Then, you have to switch back to your own brand of shampoo. So, I prefer this natural shampoo for a co-wash. Prepare small batches of the shampoo and use it within a week or two.

It makes hair smooth and soft. It hydrates the hair well. You do not need to follow up with a conditioner. You can instead use a few drops of oil at the ends. It also helps in hair growth and reduces the risk of hair loss. You can use this shampoo to dilute your own shampoo too. This way, the chemicals in the shampoo would be less harsh on your hair.And, moreover, it controls the oil in your hair. If your hair is oily, it tries to neutralize it.

READ MORE - Natural Shampoo-cum-Conditioner to increase hair growth {DIY}

How to do Hot Oil Treatment for faster hair growth? {Hair Care}

Today, I would be talking about how to do Hot Oil Treatment. You can also read the hair oil recipe for growing hair faster.

Do not heat the oil. Instead take a steam after oiling your hair. Partition your hair into various sections. Pour some oil into your hand and apply it on the scalp first. Cover the entire scalp. Massage oil well into the scalp for 5 minutes at each part. Then, start applying oil to the body of your hair and concentrate on the ends. Be generous with the amount of oil on your head. Do not worry about greasing your hair. Do it at evening time when you do not have any appointments and it would be great if you have a friend who can give you a nice head massage.

After applying the oil to your hair completely, massage your scalp for 15-30 minutes. You would feel the heat generating. Immediately, either steam your hair by placing your head about 1 feet over the steam machine or cover your head with a shower cap and place a very hot towel on your head. Heat opens the pores and allows the oil to get absorbed more and quick. When the towel gets cold, replace it with other hot towel and alternate this routine for 1 hour. You can continue with the shower cap routine even after taking steam. Then, tie a scarf tightly over the shower cap and go to sleep. Leave the oil overnight to work better. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo in the morning. Apply conditioner only to the ends. You will have very soft and shiny hair. And, a weekly hot oil treatment with any oil would stimulate more hair growth.

Update: Hot Oil Treatment gives best results if done one night before washing your hair. But, applying oil immediately and going to bed will not help anything except spoiling your bed linens. So, apply oil two hours before going to bed. That gives oil enough time to get soaked into your hair.
One more important thing to remember is that do not over apply your hair oil. Take little by little and apply on your hair. Stop when all your scalp and hair length is covered. Do not keep on splurging the oil like some product. That will finish your shampoo quickly, dry your hair and might even cause hair loss. So, apply only to coat your hair. Be a little generous with the ends. Extra layers of coating will not ensure your hair turns healthy sooner or any kind of such belief.

READ MORE - How to do Hot Oil Treatment for faster hair growth? {Hair Care}

Hair Growth Tips {Hair Care}

Hair acts as a mirror of our health. It is one of the first things which shows the deficiencies in our body. The health of hair is directly proportional to the nutrition we are in-taking. So, to grow a healthy mane and to maintain it in the same desirable way, one should eat nutritious and healthy food. Apart from nutrition, one must follow certain tips for a healthy growth of locks.

• Care for your hair well. Not one day's negligence is pardonable. Love your hair.
• If you have curly or oily hair, do not use brush. Brush only if your reacts nicely to it. If you lose more hair by brushing, do not brush. 
• Moisturize your hair regularly. Either use a leave-in or rub few drops of any vegetable oil (preferably olive oil or jojoba oil mixed with lavender or rosemary essential oil) and finger comb your hair. Pay special attention to the ends.
• Do not use too many hair products. More chemicals will damage your hair. Switch to natural products. But, choose wisely. 
• Keep your hair and scalp completely clean. 
• Go for regular trimming or do trimming at home. Once a month is ideal or if your growing your mane, once in 2 months is fine and remember to snip off only the ends. No need to cut more than an eight of an inch if you do regular trimming.   
• Take 8-9 hours of sleep regularly. Hair grows maximum when you are asleep. 
• Once in a while, let your hair get completely dirty. Then, wash your hair well. You will feel good about your hair.
• Oil your hair regularly.
  
• Do not wash your hair more than 3 times a week. It leaves your hair dry. If you have oily hair, you can use cornmeal or baby powder as a dry shampoo. 
• Do not tease your hair.
• Do regular exercise to improve blood circulation in the complete body. This will ensure that your scalp is getting essential nutrients for hair growth.
• Drink lots of water.
• Eat good food which includes a lots of green vegetables and fruits. Do not forget almonds, walnuts and raisins. Also, eat flax seeds. They provide hair growth and keep your skin smooth.

Follow all the above-stated tips and start on your way to long hair. 

READ MORE - Hair Growth Tips {Hair Care}

Take care of your skin and hair by drinking water {Health}

Hey All.....

Today, I am gonna talk about how to get a beautiful skin and hair by drinking right amount of water. Drinking water is very important for our body. It, not only, effects our body functioning, but also, how we look. I know I sound like a tape recorder. But, you would be surprised to know that lot of people know this fact, but do not take the pains to follow it. Even, I get lazy many times to get up and refill the bottle.

Have you ever noticed your skin is dull when you have not had water the whole day or even for some hours. Yes, not drinking water, even for some hours, affects our body functions adversely. Our body is made 70% of water and the cells need water for every reaction they want to carry on. Thus, water is an essential ingredient. Try to increase your intake by one glass every day. It would help you look good, your hair would be healthy and your eyes will be bright. The water will eliminate all the toxins from your body.

You can determine whether you are drinking enough water by the color of your urine. If it is dark yellow, you really need to perk on your system with water. You are drinking enough water when it is colorless. Still, no harm in increasing the quantity. Much of the water is lost through evaporation from the pores. So, do not worry about your numerous trips to the loo. They would be pretty less in summer. But, in winter, you have to bear the brunt of going to the loo a lot of times, if you really want your skin to look good. Because, the air in winter is dry and it takes moisture from your skin. Hence, the skin dries up and becomes dull.

Not only skin, but even, our hair is made up 5% of water and 95% protein. So, to keep hair in a beautiful condition, you need to drink lots and lots of water. It will keep your hair alive and bouncy. Not only that, water stimulates hair growth. If you are facing hair loss, try adjusting the levels of water in your body and you may experience a miracle.

Want to lose weight? Drink water. Yes, its true. It dissolves much of the fat of the body and eliminates it in form of toxins. If you do not like the bland taste of water, you can go for coconut water or fill your bottle with green tea. They both are equally good for your skin, hair and weight.

Lot of talk. Now, coming to the practical stuff, do not ever wait to feel thirsty. Drink water every half hour according to your limit.This will ensure your needs are satisfied. Now, I wanted to talk about situations when we really need to look good but can not drink water. It may be due to lack of water or lack of loos. Yes, people refrain from drinking water because there are no washrooms in the immediate vicinity. It happens to people who work all day on the fields. Not the farms or any crop field, but, I meant about those who do the ground work in their areas or during long travels in buses. For those days, you can carry a large spray bottle filled with floral water, lemon water or green tea and spray the water on your face in regular intervals. The floral water, lemon water or green tea rejuvenates your skin and will not spoil your make up too.

You might be thinking that I did not advise you to use wipes. They are more portable. Yes, they are designed for travel. But, they are extremely drying for the skin. Alcohol is used as a preservative in them. And, they leave a film on the skin which is pretty sticky. And, beware it does not suit every one. So, use spraying water as an alternative.

A tip: Mix moisturizer with 2-3 drops of filtered water and then, apply it on the face. Doing this would retain water content in the skin. And, keep it supple all day long.

Feed lots and lots of water in every way you can to your body.

READ MORE - Take care of your skin and hair by drinking water {Health}

A hair oil recipe for faster hair growth {DIY}

Today, I am going to share with you all a unique hair oil which I use for my hair. This recipe has not been made in one go but has evolved over a considerable period of time. I hope it will be as beneficial for all of you as it has been to me.

Ingredients:

Oils: Coconut oil, Mustard oil, Castor oil, Olive oil, Sesame oil, Vitamin E oil, Almond oil, Evening Primrose oil

Essential oils: Lavender, Rose, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Jasmine
Flowers: Rose, Lavender, Marigold, Chamomile, Hibiscus, Jasmine, Rosemary
Leaves: Sage, Neem, Curry, Hibiscus, Henna, Jasmine, Fenugreek
Other herbs: Dried Indian Gooseberry (amla), fenugreek seeds, dried lemon peels, dried orange peels

If you have Brahmi and Bhringraj leaves or oil, please add them to the recipe. They are really good for hair growth and its maintainence. Feel free to add any other ingredient which you think is good for hair. Do post the ingredients which you think should be added.

Method:

• Dry 10 Indian Gooseberry under direct sunlight. Cut them into 4 pieces. Dry 5 lemon and orange peels under direct sunlight. Put these things into a huge glass jar. Pour 3 table spoons of fenugreek seeds. Then, fill the jar with leaves of 5 stems and 10 flowers of each type. Do not use any active herb which can turn bad while kept in the oil and turn the oil rancid. Feel free to change the quantities of herbs to be used according to the amount of oil you are making. The quantity stated above is for one litre oil.
• Now, pour equal amounts of all the available oils in the jar except vitamin E oil. You may use a small bottle to pour the oils in the jar to maintain equal quantities of oils. Make sure all the oils are fresh.
• Since Castor Oil is thick in consistency as compared to other oils, you can pour only 1/2 quantity of Castor oil as compared to other oils.
• Close the jar tightly. Make sure it is an air-tight jar. Keeping oil too near to heat or open in the air causes the oil to oxidize, diminishes the nutritional quality and turns it rancid. Thus, you should never boil the oil. Always prefer to buy cold pressed oils.
• Leave the jar in direct sunlight for a week or 10 days. Shake the jar daily to avoid settling the herbs at the bottom. After the stipulated period, strain the oil. Add 50 drops of each essential oil and Vitamin E oil. Your hair oil is ready. 
• Make small batches of the oil so that you always get the benefits of the fresh oils. Every oil has a lifetime so be sure that you use the oils well before their expiry date or within six months, whichever is earlier.
• You may avoid using the ingredients which you are not comfortable with. Many people do not get used to henna as it dries their hair. Similarly, lemon adds shine to hair and removes dandruff but can be drying for dry hair. Choose the ingredients wisely. Same is the case with oils. If your hair does not accept a particular oil, do not use the oil. 
• You may infuse all the above-stated herbs in your favorite hair oil too. Combining all the oils is only done to get the benefits of various oils.

Do the hot oil treatment using this oil to grow your hair fast.

READ MORE - A hair oil recipe for faster hair growth {DIY}